Finally.
The two balls of fire vanished, but the temperature inside the ancient castle spiked sharply.
"Not good!"
Qin Feiyang's expression shifted, and he hastily urged the power of profound ice within his body to lower the temperature inside the castle.
Yet it was useless.
The temperature remained terrifyingly high.
"What should I do?"
Qin Feiyang muttered to himself.
The little fellow said, "Never mind it; keep refining its bloodline and strive for it to transform into a divine beast sooner."
Hearing this, Qin Feiyang wasted no time and continued to activate the Purgatory Fire Pool.
The power of the Purgatory Fire Pool was one of the most formidable divine arts Qin Feiyang could conceive, matched only by the fifth form of the Purgatory Divine Art.
However, the Purgatory Divine Art also had its limits.
Even the third move of the Purgatory Divine Art could only allow Qin Feiyang to barely break through to the Pseudo-God Ninth-Layer Realm.
Thus, if he wanted to continue advancing, his only option was to shatter the fourth form, the fifth form, or even break through to the sixth form of the Purgatory Divine Art!
Rumble!
Another month later!
Qin Feiyang's physical body also suffered an unprecedented impact, with fine cracks splitting open across his skin, densely spreading over him like a spiderweb.
"Not good, these cracks are spreading and getting larger—they are going to shatter my physical body!"
Qin Feiyang's expression trembled violently.
"Don't panic."
"You are a Nine-Star Battle Emperor after all, with a physical body that defies the heavens in its strength; how could it possibly be easily destroyed by these little things?"
"You must remember that your physical body is your foundation and must be well protected, otherwise you will surely suffer if you ever walk down some crooked path in the future."
The little fellow barked.
Qin Feiyang nodded.
Still, the pain in his physical body did not subside by much.
Rumble!
At that moment, a divine grid on his chest suddenly burst forth with dazzling, brilliant divine light.
From within the divine grid, wisps of unfathomably mysterious aura permeated the air.
Is this divinity?
Qin Feiyang asked in startled doubt.
Sweeping it with his divine sense, he discovered that the divine grid contained a vast and boundless space.
This space was exceptionally expansive.
Moreover.
His divine sense could not detect its limits!
"No wonder those ancient texts marked the two words 'Divine Realm'!"
Qin Feiyang murmured.
Without dwelling on it, he immediately focused his attention on the space within the divine grid.
He discovered that within the space of the divine grid grew clusters of strange plants.
These plants were entirely emerald green, growing in the soil, each standing a foot tall and exuding wisps of divinity!
This plant must be the legendary "Divine Tree"!
"It really is the legendary Divine Tree!"
Qin Feiyang exclaimed in wonder.
"This kind of divine tree is called 'Divine Tree Roots'. It is said to be able to nurture divinity and is the nemesis of divine wood."
"Any elixir possessing divinity can bear divine crystals upon the Divine Tree Roots."
The little fellow explained.
Qin Feiyang suddenly understood and quickly sat down cross-legged, circulating the Nine Heavens Chaos Decision to absorb the essence of the Divine Tree Roots.
The roots of the Divine Tree were extremely thick, resembling a towering giant tree that pierced through the clouds.
With the assistance of the Divine Tree Roots, Qin Feiyang frantically refined them.
Time slipped away in a flash.
Two months passed in the blink of an eye!
In the span of two months, Qin Feiyang had not only finished refining the Divine Tree Roots, but also the divine infant and divine soul, while his physical body had reached the Pseudo-God Eighth-Layer Peak.
"This time, I can finally smoothly step into the Pseudo-God Fifth-Layer Realm."
Qin Feiyang let out a quiet sigh of relief.
During this period, he had swallowed a total of seventy thousand drops of divine liquid, along with over a dozen medicinal pills, which together amounted to nearly one million drops.
Although his strength was only at the Pseudo-God Three-Star Battle Emperor level, coupled with the assistance of the ancient castle, he was definitely a match for a Pseudo-God Eight-Star Battle Emperor.
Swish!
Suddenly.
An aura of terrifying might surged out from within the ancient castle.
Qin Feiyang's expression changed, and he quickly ceased refining the divine liquid and pills, rushing out swiftly.
He saw that the ancient castle was radiating wisps of terrifying divine light!
This divine light was even more terrifying than divinity!
This was the imposing aura of a Pseudo-God Nine-Star Battle Emperor, as well as the unique domain power of a Pseudo-God Nine-Star Battle Emperor!
"Haha..."
Qin Feiyang couldn't help but look up to the sky and roar with laughter.
A breakthrough of this magnitude actually triggered the imposing aura of a Pseudo-God Nine-Star Battle Emperor, almost as if he had taken a fast lane straight to crossing tribulations.
As expected of a super inheritance!
Furthermore.
Because he had refined the Divine Tree Roots, his bloodline power had increased significantly once more.
He even felt that if he could completely awaken his bloodline power, his strength would become even more terrifying.
And right now.
He could already sense that the fifth floor of the ancient castle had opened.
Without hesitation, he quickly climbed up the ancient castle, sat cross-legged on the altar, and began to continue refining the divine infant and divine soul.
...
Shenzhou City.
Inside a luxurious courtyard.
At this moment.
A young man, accompanied by several guards, stood before a towering ancient tree.
"Young Master, have you really decided?"
"If you do this, your life will be under threat at any moment!"
An elderly man with white hair frowned and said.
This young man was none other than Jiang Qilin.
Ever since he learned about the ancient castle, he had immediately brought his subordinates rushing to the Divine Kingdom, preparing to seize back the divine grid.
And his outing this time was precisely to acquire divine crystals.
"No need to worry."
"I have my own arrangements."
Jiang Qilin said indifferently.
"Then this old servant will take his leave first."
The white-haired elder said respectfully.
"Mn."
Jiang Qilin nodded, turning his gaze back toward the towering ancient tree, a flash of greed sweeping across his eyes.
"This Divine Kingdom is a veritable divine realm, and there are bound to be numerous treasures within it. By utilizing this, I can enhance my strength and secure a certain degree of self-preservation."
Jiang Qilin's eyes shone with sharp brilliance.
The Divine Kingdom was generally sealed within a temple.
However, there were still quite a few temples existing on the outer periphery of the Divine Kingdom.
Jiang Qilin glanced at the divine tree before leading his subordinates through a massive set of doors.
Beyond the giant doors lay a wide hall. The sides of the hall were lined with various weapons, countless treasures, and even weapons of divine-soldier rank.
Yet Jiang Qilin ignored all of these entirely.
Because these were merely ordinary items and still fell far short of comparing to his divine grid.
His gaze finally locked onto a black suit of battle armor.
This armor was oval-shaped, emitting a deep, dark glow.
"What grade of armor is this?"
Jiang Qilin raised a brow in surprise, reaching out with a wave to summon the armor into his palm as he inspected it closely.
"I have seen this type of armor in ancient texts; it is called 'Divine Armor'."
"A lower-tier divine defense armor capable of withstanding the attacks of a Pseudo-God Nine-Star Battle Emperor."
"Back then, it was recorded in ancient texts that this set of armor could rival a sacred artifact."
The white-haired elder said in a low voice.
"A sacred artifact?"
Jiang Qilin's pupils contracted slightly.
Among the God Clan, sacred artifacts were also divided into many categories. Most belonged to Pseudo-God Nine-Star Battle Emperors, while the absolute top-tier ones were called Supreme Divine Weapons, and there were even half-step supreme weapons.
Beneath the Supreme Divine Weapons were sacred artifacts and Pseudo-God divine artifacts!
Pseudo-God divine artifacts and Pseudo-God divine armor were considered quite scarce even within the God Clan.
Because within the God Clan, apart from a few major clans, most major powers did not possess Pseudo-God divine artifacts or Pseudo-God divine armor.
This made Pseudo-God divine armor and Pseudo-God divine weapons even more precious than ordinary divine artifacts and armor.
"Divine Armor..."
Jiang Qilin muttered to himself, intense brilliance flashing in his eyes.
"No matter what, I must get my hands on this set of divine armor."
Jiang Qilin muttered, cold light bursting forth from his eyes.
Whoosh!!
Jiang Qilin abruptly raised his head, scanned his surroundings, and his figure vanished from the spot, streaking furiously in a certain direction.
...
Qin Feiyang was in closed-door cultivation.
Meanwhile, cultivators across the entire Divine Prefecture were discussing this matter.
Because this affair involved the young master of the Jiang Dynasty, an unparalleled, monstrously gifted prodigy.
"I heard that the young master of the Jiang Dynasty just turned eighteen this year, yet he has already stepped into the realm of a Pseudo-God Nine-Star Battle Emperor—truly a peerless monster rarely seen in a millennium."
"But in recent years, the young master of the Jiang Dynasty seems to have run into trouble, being hunted down and narrowly escaping death time and again."
"And the one hunting him down is none other than Qin Feiyang!"
"I wonder just how powerful Qin Feiyang is now?"
"No matter what, he must have also stepped into the realm of a Pseudo-God Nine-Star Battle Emperor."
"Let us all wait and see!"
"This Qin Feiyang is definitely a formidable adversary!"
"That's right. In this opening of the divine heritage, he will surely make a stunning debut, win the championship, and make a name for himself across the Divine Mainland."
"But with this opening of the divine heritage, the divine sons of the Divine Kingdom will also descend upon the Divine Mainland one after another."
"When that time comes, Qin Feiyang will face unprecedented crisis."
...
The discussions filled the skies above the Divine Kingdom like rumbling thunder, lingering for a long time.
And these discussions likewise reached the ears of Qin Feiyang.
Naturally.
Qin Feiyang didn't care about these things; right now, he only cared about that towering ancient tree.
"Mn?"
"That towering ancient tree in the Divine Kingdom seems close to withering."
Qin Feiyang muttered inwardly.
"Mn?"
"Something's wrong!"
Suddenly.
Qin Feiyang's pupils constricted.
He saw that the trunk of the towering ancient tree was actually withering away slowly.
And the speed of this process was growing faster and faster.
"Could it be that Jiang Qilin intends to destroy the towering ancient tree?"
Doubt flickered in Qin Feiyang's eyes.
Swish!!
The next instant, with a flash, he appeared beside Jiang Qilin.
Jiang Qilin also sensed Qin Feiyang's presence, immediately halting his steps and turning to look at him.
When he saw it was Qin Feiyang, a gloomy look flashed across Jiang Qilin's eyes.
"Young Master Jiang."
Qin Feiyang cupped his fists in greeting.
"Why are you here?"
Jiang Qilin asked.
"I only just learned the news that the towering ancient tree is about to wither."
Qin Feiyang explained.
"Oh!"
Jiang Qilin nodded, though a cunning and mocking look crossed his eyes as he said, "Well, knowing it now isn't too late."
"What do you mean by that?"
Qin Feiyang frowned.
Jiang Qilin sneered and said, "This towering ancient tree was personally cultivated by this emperor. I can let it die whenever I please, let it live for however many days I choose, let it live if I want it to live, and let it die if I want it to die."
"Is that so?"
Qin Feiyang let out a sarcastic laugh and said, "Are you sure you aren't dreaming?"
"Audacious!"
"How dare you look down on this emperor!"
Jiang Qilin flew into a rage.
"Young Master Jiang, don't fly into a rage. Besides, I didn't mean to look down on you. After all, as you know, the towering ancient tree can only grow deep underground and cannot leave the towering ancient forest."
Qin Feiyang said with a chuckle.
Murderous intent burst from Jiang Qilin's eyes.
"I know the Jiang family possesses a secret technique capable of controlling the towering ancient tree."
"If I'm not mistaken, this must be the forbidden secret technique created by the ancestors of the Jiang family called the Puppet Technique, right?"
Qin Feiyang smiled.
"What?"
Jiang Qilin asked in startled doubt.
"This secret technique is also quite popular in our Flame Dragon Dynasty, though it is extremely obscure, and ordinary people cannot detect it at all."
Qin Feiyang said.
"So powerful?"
Jiang Qilin looked at Qin Feiyang in astonishment, his face full of disbelief.
"That's right."
"And the ancestors of the Jiang family attained extremely high attainments in puppetry, enabling them to control various divine objects."
"Not only that, they could even grant divine objects their own independent consciousness."
"However, this secret technique also has flaws: it can only control one divine object, and once discovered, the secret technique will completely fail."
"But if it is passed down through the Jiang family's bloodline, this flaw ceases to exist."
Qin Feiyang said.
"It's not the Jiang family's bloodline inheritance..."
"This secret technique is simply too miraculous!"
Jiang Qilin was shocked.
This was simply too terrifying. If not for the existence of this secret technique, the Jiang family would have been wiped out long ago.
Jiang Qilin's gaze flickered as he thought to himself, "This secret technique must also have been obtained by the ancestors of the Jiang family from within the body of a certain deity by utilizing some sort of secret art."
With that thought!
Jiang Qilin looked at Qin Feiyang and said, "This emperor wants this towering ancient tree; are you willing to part with it?"
"Of course."
Qin Feiyang replied, his face full of sincerity.
"So straightforward?"
Jiang Qilin was suspicious.
"Young Master Jiang, are you doubting my sincerity?"
Qin Feiyang asked with a beaming smile.
"Haha..."
Jiang Qilin burst into hearty laughter.
He truly hadn't expected Qin Feiyang to agree so readily.
After all.
Back then, the Jiang family had fought tooth and nail in fierce battles just to contend for the towering ancient tree.
Yet Qin Feiyang asked for nothing more than a single towering ancient tree.
Jiang Qilin pondered inwardly, "Could he be deliberately putting on an act?"
"Young Master Jiang, although this towering ancient tree is precious, I also know that I am no match for you right now. Since you want it, naturally I have no way to resist."
"But I would like to ask Young Master Jiang to let me leave the towering ancient city."
Qin Feiyang cupped his fists and requested.
Jiang Qilin's gaze flickered slightly.
Qin Feiyang continued, "As long as I can survive, I will surely return this twofold."
"Return it twofold?"
Jiang Qilin stared at Qin Feiyang playfully and said, "How do you plan on returning it twofold?"
"On my person, I have a sapling of the towering ancient tree. As long as Young Master Jiang hands this over to me, I will present it to the Jiang family."
"Furthermore, I will swear a blood oath; if I break my promise, I will surely suffer retribution."
"Of course."
"If Young Master Jiang feels this is inappropriate, then I can promise Young Master Jiang that from now on, whenever the Jiang family requires it, I will definitely cooperate to the fullest."
Qin Feiyang said.
"There's really no need for that."
"After all, you are now a friend of my Jiang family."
"I believe that given the value of this towering ancient tree, the Jiang family will certainly not treat you unfairly."
"So what does it matter if you gift this sapling to the Jiang family?"
Jiang Qilin said with a faint smile.
"Then I shall thank Young Master Jiang in advance for your generosity."
Qin Feiyang bowed and cupped his fists in salute.
"You're too polite."
Jiang Qilin waved his hand and asked once more, "I wonder, can we leave now?"
"We can. I shall lead you into the Divine Wood Sea right away."
Qin Feiyang smiled and waved his hand.
Swish!
Following Qin Feiyang's wave, the void immediately rippled, and Jiang Qilin's figure vanished from sight.
"The Divine Wood Sea is truly formidable!"