The closer one gets to the Ninth Realm, the more one can feel its immense power. From just the few moves earlier, Zhu Shigu knew that he was far from being a match for Qinglian.

"Indeed, you have both opportunity and perseverance, and your current achievements are the result of your own hard work."

Qinglian reached out across the space, gently helped Zhu Shigu up, and after sizing him up, said with a smile.

"Now you stand before the gate of the Innate Divine Objects, and even I want to see how far you can go, so this time, I will help you."

Qinglian, being an Innate entity himself, only took a few glances to realize that Zhu Shigu was not innately Primordial but had reached this point step by step with great difficulty as a postnatal being.

Opportunity, perseverance, and talent are indispensable in the creation of this miracle that is almost unknown to the world.

Just like when Uncle Ju first learned of this, Qinglian also couldn't help but admire Zhu Shigu, because to advance from postnatal to the level of Innate Divine Objects is an incredibly difficult task, even more challenging than the average cultivator seeking to achieve the Ninth Realm.

Even Qinglian himself recalls the hardships he faced when he ascended to the status of an Innate Divine Object with some trepidation.

"Thank you, senior!"

Zhu Shigu was overjoyed upon hearing this, his face showing rare excitement. His long-cherished wish for many years was finally seeing hope.

"You really dare to show up, meow?"

An untimely voice suddenly rang out, and Uncle Ju gave Qinglian a cold smile.

"Oh, to abandon everything and reincarnate, you really are willing, huh."

Qinglian turned his head to see Uncle Ju, who was sneering at him, and couldn't help but laugh out loud.

Previously in the Void, he could only sense vaguely that Uncle Ju must have undergone reincarnation. He thought Uncle Ju would reincarnate into the Human Race, but never expected this adorable form, which really does not match his nasty character.

"But this look of yours is quite endearing."

Ignoring Uncle Ju's rage, Qinglian directly smiled wickedly and reached out to stroke the cat.

Taking advantage of this weak fellow, it's the perfect time to settle old scores.

"Get lost, meow!"

Uncle Ju struggled free from Qinglian's ruthless hand and jumped back beside Liang Yi.

"How I act is none of your business, meow."

Uncle Ju snorted coldly, his tail swishing back and forth. Although he had known Qinglian for an extremely long time, even longer than the era of the birth of the Mystical Mechanism Continent, their relationship was not good in the beginning, and they had even fought fiercely several times.

Later on, as they both lived for too long, too weary to continue their conflicts, their relationship gradually eased quite a bit, and they became a mix of enemies and friends.

Liang Yi and Su Youyi looked at Qinglian and then at Uncle Ju in surprise. They hadn't expected the two to have such a good relationship, but now Zhu Shigu realized why Uncle Ju was so confident earlier—it turned out they were old acquaintances.

"Are you also going to step into that phase, meow?"

Uncle Ju looked at Qinglian's current state and couldn't help but ask curiously because he seemed a bit unusual.

"Of course, if it wasn't because of that drop of Essence Blood back then, do you think you could overtake me by so much?"

Qinglian said gloomily, but with a schadenfreude tone.

Originally, he and Mystical Mechanism were not much different in terms of progress; otherwise, they wouldn't have fought so many times without deciding a winner.

However, things took a turn after Mystical Mechanism unexpectedly obtained a drop of powerful Essence Blood.

They didn't know how powerful that being itself was, but just a drop of Essence Blood certainly helped Mystical Mechanism reach new heights, successfully crossing the Heavenly Chasm to become the Heavenly Dao of the Mystical Mechanism Continent.

Originally, Qinglian was quite frustrated, because becoming a Heavenly Dao, with the ability to utilize World Power, he would be unable to surpass Mystical Mechanism. Yet when he learned that something sinister and mysterious resided within that drop of Essence Blood and nearly corrupted Mystical Mechanism, ultimately forming an Abyss, he was left with nothing but schadenfreude.

"Anyway, I'm just naturally faster than you, but I'll give you a kind piece of advice, meow. The path to manifest as a continent and become the Heavenly Dao to wield World Power is actually not suitable for you, meow."

Uncle Ju was somewhat helpless towards this fellow full of mischief but still kindly offered a word of advice.

"You, on the other hand, could try this path, meow."

With the last sentence, Uncle Ju turned to look at Zhu Shigu, this being a hint for his future path.

"Why?"

Qinglian was stunned for a moment, not understanding why his old friend would say this.

The best path for Innate Divine Objects to advance further into a new stage is to manifest themselves as a continent and become the Heavenly Dao, controlling that legendary World Power.

But now, Uncle Ju was advising against it, and he was quite perplexed.

Zhu Shigu was also listening attentively on the side. He had already figured out that the descendant of the Grand Saint of Nine Spirits might be the reincarnation of some mighty being and also a senior Innate Divine Object.

With this, Uncle Ju's words held significant reference value for the path he was to take in the future.

"Do I need to tell you what your personality is like? You couldn't possibly stay quietly and coldly in one world, calmly watching the changes of the world with tranquility, meow."

Uncle Ju pointed at Qinglian and said with a face full of mockery.

"Becoming a Heavenly Dao means becoming heartless and desireless; not a single thing or event in the myriad of worlds leaves a stain on the heart. Truly beyond the bounds of time, meow. Do you think you can endure that?"

"···"

Qinglian fell silent; upon reflection, this path really didn't suit someone of his impulsive nature.

After all, he had spent such a long time in the Void, running around looking for interesting things to do to avoid a life of sheer boredom consisting only of cultivation.

His pursuit of greater power was only to make his life more entertaining, not to be bound by power in turn.

Zhu Shigu, on the other hand, felt nothing about it since he was originally a bamboo. He didn't mind solitude and actually enjoyed this state of being.

Moreover, his interest lay in collecting all sorts of information because it gave him a sense of fulfillment.

After becoming a Heavenly Dao, he would grasp all the information in a grand world. If there really was a choice, he would be more than willing to lead such a life.

"You know, meow, you don't only have one path to choose from."

Old Master Orange gave Qinglian a deep look, leaving the choice to him.

"I still have things to do, so I can't stay here much longer."

After pondering for a while, Qinglian decided to put this question aside for now. After all, even he didn't know when the moment would come; it seemed better to handle other things first.

"I have already given the things you need to that young man Liang Yi. Advancing to an Innate Divine Object is very dangerous; weigh it carefully yourself."

"By the way, the seal in the Abyss is not far from complete shattering. Once it completely breaks, not even your master combined with the power of Zen can resist the Abyss."

After Qinglian finished instructing Zhu Shigu, his expression became slightly solemn as he looked toward Liang Yi and Su Youyi. Even he had some misgivings about the already uncontrollable Abyss.

"With your current strength, you won't be able to make much of an impact in this war, so hurry up and improve your powers."

Qinglian waved to Liang Yi, Su Youyi, and Old Master Orange, and with a gust of wind, after the breeze stopped, Qinglian had vanished.

"He sure ran off fast, meow."

Old Master Orange curled his lips with disdain; this man was as indecisive as ever, which might sound nice in terms of being careful and deliberate, but to Old Master Orange, it was simply a lack of decision-making power.

Qinglian could have competed with him for that drop of Essence Blood, but he lost the opportunity because he pondered too much.

"But what he mentioned last is true, you two need to step up your efforts, meow."

Old Master Orange's demeanor also showed a rare seriousness; the impending total unsealing of the Abyss was causing him considerable pressure.

"Will Master be in danger over there?"

Su Youyi was even more concerned about her master's safety upon hearing this news, her expression anxious.

"Your master is not a fool; he and Zen are just there to buy time, all to give the Mystical Mechanism Continent a chance to clear out its internal troubles and prepare. If the situation turns south, I'm sure he won't stubbornly cling on there, meow."

Old Master Orange shook his head; the Abyss wasn't something one person or one sect could contend against, Chen Hua didn't need to remain there.

"The priority now is to enhance your own strength first, so that you won't be helpless when it comes to certain situations later on."

"Okay!"

Su Youyi nodded in agreement; she understood this principle as well.

Liang Yi sighed softly. He had too little time. If only he had enough time, he could have fully matured, and perhaps he alone could have dealt with the Abyss.

If not, letting the players grow could work too. Once the players' average level increased, they might become the main force against the Abyss, but unfortunately, there wasn't much time left for him and the players now.

"This is what Qinglian Senior left for me; Elder Zhu, please take it."

Liang Yi suddenly remembered something; he had discovered when delving into his Divine Soul that Qinglian, before leaving, had left him a sphere of light imbued with the Innate Divine Object's unique Laws.

This was precisely what Zhu Shigu wanted, and with it, he could make an attempt to break through to an Innate Divine Object in one go.

By then, the Little Bamboo House's top-level strength wouldn't be much less than that of a Super Force.

"If there's anything you need help with, feel free to find me!"

After the conversation between Old Master Orange and Qinglian, Zhu Shigu had a clearer understanding of the path he was to take in the future, and now receiving this great aid to his advancement from Qinglian even bolstered his confidence for the future.

"I and my junior sister have almost accumulated enough; could you let both of us enter seclusion here for a period of time?"

Liang Yi still didn't forget the BUFF benefits here. If he could make breakthroughs and upgrade Skills here, it would save him a lot of Experience.

"Of course, no problem!"

Zhu Shigu agreed to Liang Yi's request without any hesitation.

"Under the leadership of the Super Forces, our Little Bamboo House and other powers are already preparing for the war. I am attempting to break through now also because of this matter, otherwise even I would not have the confidence to protect Little Bamboo House in the war."

"So before the war erupts, you must also quickly improve your own strength!"

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