Chapter 105: The Awakening of Heaven, Time and Space, and a Surge in Power

After stepping out of the fighter jet, Jiang Ming found himself deep within a mountain. Under the guidance of Instructor Yu, they took an elevator straight down, and according to Jiang Ming's calculations, it stopped nearly 300 meters underground.

Upon exiting, they proceeded to verify their identities and entered a vast underground realm. Above them stretched a dome that perfectly simulated the colors of the sky outside. The immense interior was divided into various sectors, and numerous powerful individuals were detected within.

Some of these beings were so formidable that even Jiang Ming felt a chill run down his spine.

Instructor Yu offered a brief explanation. “This is the sacred training ground constructed by Tianzhong Province. You are only permitted to move within the Cultivation Zone, Dining Area, and Library; other areas are off-limits.”

“The Cultivation Zone has been fully reserved for the five of you—no one else is inside.”

“The Dining Area provides unlimited supplies 24 hours a day.”

“The Library houses martial arts manuals; apart from restricted-level ones, you may study any of them. The diagrams and methods for locating and opening the 365 acupoints throughout the body are also fully accessible, but you must sign a confidentiality agreement—no information may be disclosed outside.”

“By the way, signals are blocked here, so phones cannot make calls; also, photography and recording devices are forbidden.”

“All information about this place must remain in your mind alone.”

As Instructor Yu spoke, he led them to tour the three zones. The Dining Area was vast, capable of seating thousands simultaneously. The Library was unique, featuring not only physical books but also numerous electronic screens for searching and reading.

Finally, they arrived at the Cultivation Zone. Inside was a circular hall furnished with sofas, virtual projections, and refreshments—a comfortable lounge.

What astonished Jiang Ming was the extraordinarily dense concentration of primal energy, so thick it formed wisps of mist. Reaching out, he could gather droplets of primal liquid.

Surrounding the hall were thirty-six doors.

“Behind each door lies a private training chamber. You may choose any room. Once occupied, no one can open it from outside except the base commander. However, you can exit freely at any time. If a problem arises and you cannot leave, press the emergency button.”

“There are Tianren-level experts stationed in the Library to answer any questions.”

“On the afternoon of June 13th, you will be escorted out; on the 14th, you will depart for the Tianwu Academy; and on the 15th, the final grand martial exam will commence!”

“That’s all for now. I’ll see you on the 13th!” Instructor Yu said briskly, then departed without looking back.

“This place is no less than a paradise!” Qiang Jiu scanned the surroundings, eyes gleaming. “I can sense terrifying formations imprinted here, gathering the primal energy of heaven and earth, protecting this sanctuary.”

“Formations?” Jiang Ming’s expression turned peculiar.

Martial arts dominated, yet formations appeared again.

Right, he already possessed alchemical pills.

What about talismans?

What about forging?

“Hm!” Qiang Jiu nodded. “It’s an incredibly powerful profession, but the threshold is extremely high. Without talent, even a lifetime of study won’t suffice.”

“Brother Jiang, you should give it a try,” Lan Xin suggested gently. “Your comprehension is extraordinary. Perhaps you could gain something.”

“You’re just trying to sabotage me!” Jiang Ming shot her a glare. “I already have enough subjects to master. If I delve into formations too, how will I improve my strength?”

“Brother Jiang, you’re just ducking the issue!” Long Aotian snapped. “The paths of Yin and Yang, Space, Thunder, Physical Body, and Power Augmentation Techniques—I still get goosebumps just thinking about them.”

Qin Zhiyan and the others nodded in agreement.

They then toured the Dining Area and Library before returning to the Cultivation Zone.

Jiang Ming casually selected a room and stepped inside. What awaited him stunned him utterly—he had expected the primal energy concentration to be somewhat higher, but the reality surpassed his imagination.

At the center stood a pool filled with liquid primal energy.

“This is outrageous!” he thought in shock.

Besides this, the room radiated a coolness that calmed the mind, helping to stabilize the spirit and maintain tranquility.

This was truly a supreme place for cultivation.

There was also a virtual projection system linked to the Library, allowing him access to countless martial secrets right there.

Jiang Ming sat cross-legged in the pool, the liquid covering just three inches below his navel. Concentrating, he activated the Dragon Elephant Sky-Calming Technique, ravenously absorbing the liquid primal energy to temper his marrow veins.

His marrow was like silver frost, not yet perfected.

The absorption was so rapid that the liquid level dropped nearly an inch in a short time.

This liquid primal energy contained immense power.

Yet Jiang Ming was puzzled as the consumed liquid gradually replenished itself.

“Is it endless?” he mused, eyes wide.

He took the pill given by Long Aotian and swallowed it. Dividing his focus, one part refined the pill’s essence with the Dragon Elephant Sky-Calming Technique to temper his body using the primal liquid; the other activated the virtual projection, inputting his personal data for verification, then began browsing the Library.

He first studied the diagram of the 365 acupoints around the body, which detailed their locations and opening methods clearly. He quickly memorized it before moving on.

No need to linger now; better to remember it well.

Searching for the term “realm,” only ten primary realms appeared, along with other classifications—no ultimate realm was listed.

“No extreme peak!” Jiang Ming frowned but continued reading.

He began with the path of body refinement, an area where his foundation was shallow and self-study difficult. Now, he would take this opportunity to accumulate knowledge properly.

“I found that the path of body refinement has detailed stages: refining skin and flesh, forging muscles and bones, tempering internal organs, cleansing marrow, blood replacement, diamond stage, great and small will stages, and limb regeneration.”

“Fascinating!”

Three techniques even led directly to limb regeneration, bringing Jiang Ming great joy.

He also studied orthodox cultivation methods from the main world, which focused on holistic refinement—each stage breaking through a layer of confinement.

He immersed himself completely.

His physical body rapidly improved.

One day later, Instructor Yu’s expression grew strange.

He had received news: the liquid primal energy in the Cultivation Zone was being consumed faster than imaginable.

Originally, the stored primal liquid was estimated to last the five of them days, with even one-tenth consumption considered high.

Yet today it was nearly depleted.

“The primal liquid is all flowing into Training Room Six, where Jiang Ming is secluded. Calculations show that 99% is absorbed by him alone.”

This astonished Instructor Yu.

“The amount is simply staggering.”

“Truly worthy of being called the millennium genius of Tianzhong Province,” Yu sighed. After consulting with several others, he decisively ordered continuous replenishment.

A full supply—whatever is needed, will be provided.

Not fearing prodigies, but fearing mediocrity.

“Marrow like silver frost, tempered to the extreme. Body refinement stage four complete!” Jiang Ming was overjoyed.

His body refinement had been slow due to lack of resources and the need to break limits and refine techniques.

The supplements he scavenged never provided enough blood energy.

As for absorbed primal energy?

His dantian and acupoints consumed vast amounts; it was insufficient.

But now, the opportunity had arrived.

From this day on, Jiang Ming never left the chamber.

He devoured techniques on body refinement, martial paths, divine cultivation, countless notes, and insights—so much that it fully compensated for his foundation.

He also gained clear understanding of his future path.

The divine path’s eight stages, the qi path’s eight layers, the body path’s eight transformations—a complete system of cultivation methods—all enriched him greatly.

Moreover, he absorbed various secret techniques and strange mystic arts.

Jiang Ming swallowed all knowledge in one gulp, storing it deeply in his mind.

One day, Instructor Yu’s voice echoed inside the room: “Jiang, it’s the afternoon of the 13th; time to emerge!”

“So soon?” Jiang Ming was surprised.

Awakening from cultivation and study, he stood as a terrifying aura filled the room, then retracted it.

“It’s a pity; with millions of books, I barely finished reading a tenth even with my divine mind scanning them,” he sighed regretfully.

To him, this was the true treasure.

Fixing his gaze, his personal information appeared:

Name: Jiang Ming
Qi Cultivation: Level 5 (Grandmaster, Yin-Yang Scripture)
Body Cultivation: Level 5 (Blood Replacement, Dragon Elephant Sky-Calming Technique)
Divine Cultivation: Level 5 (Phantom Form, Yin-Yang Spirit Refining Scripture)
Techniques: Ten Thousand Swords Return to Sect, Three Immortal Swords, Horizon Steps, Inch Fist (15 layers), Yin-Yang Forbidden Arts, Spirit Control Technique, Sword Control Technique, etc.
Talents: Hundredfold Comprehension, Nirvana Rebirth, Soul Sovereign, Master of Space, Favored by Fate (temporarily fixed)
Mission: Become the champion of the federation’s final martial exam

The data showed little change.

Qi cultivation had not advanced at all; no new acupoints opened, but the dantian and over 200 opened acupoints were fully saturated.

Divine cultivation remained at peak level 5 Phantom Form.

Body cultivation improved greatly, reaching the summit of level 5 with complete blood replacement.

His blood flowed like quicksilver, circulating like a swirling pearl.

His blood energy was at its peak.

Additionally, the only secret technique he refined, Inch Fist, had advanced to the 15th layer—a fifteenfold enhancement.

However, the higher layers were increasingly difficult and exhausting.

“The greatest benefit is having over a hundred thousand books ingrained in my mind, transforming into wisdom and accumulation.”

Jiang Ming was very satisfied with his seclusion.

He opened the door and stepped out.

“Brother Jiang, you’re amazing! You haven’t come out once all these days!” Long Aotian gave a thumbs up. “So powerful yet so dedicated—it makes us ashamed. Even aiming to catch up with you, the four of us still come out occasionally to gather. Seclusion is really too dull.”

“Yes, too dull,” Lan Xin agreed sincerely. “It makes us admire you even more.”

“To achieve extraordinary results requires not only outstanding talent but also unyielding perseverance, which we all lack,” Qin Zhiyan sighed.

Qiang Jiu nodded in agreement.

“Only by enduring hardship can one surpass others!” Jiang Ming smiled. “Compared to you all, all I have is diligence!”

“Nonsense!” Long Aotian leapt three feet into the air. “The paths of Space and Yin Yang aren’t attained by hard work alone!”

“This guy’s so hypocritical!” Qiang Jiu teased.

“And loves to show off modestly!” Qin Zhiyan laughed.

“Even more annoying—if only we were strong enough, we’d beat him up to vent our frustration!” Lan Xin gritted her teeth.

They laughed and chatted as they walked out but suddenly stopped. Several figures blocked their path.

One was Instructor Yu; the others were three middle-aged men radiating terrifying power, deep and abyssal, stirring awe in Jiang Ming.

“No match, absolutely no match!” Jiang Ming’s heart sounded alarms but he remained calm.

“How’s the harvest?” Instructor Yu asked with a smile.

“Enormous!” Long Aotian answered first. “I thought my Long family’s foundation was deep, but compared to this, it’s nothing!”

“Many hands make light work. This place has the backing of an entire province,” Yu said. “Some things from your family aren’t here, though.”

Long Aotian smiled without replying.

One of the middle-aged men looked at Jiang Ming. “The three of us oversee here—one focusing on divine cultivation, one on qi cultivation, and one on body cultivation. We’ve been waiting for you to ask questions. But you’ve secluded yourself so long. Your effort and perseverance are rare among the young, but priorities matter. We brought you here to strengthen your foundation; the strongest foundation belongs to us three. The others check in now and then, but you vanished. We went from expectation, to worry, to helplessness.”

He chuckled at the end.

“Jiang boy, you’re too mature for your age. Not good, not good!” said another middle-aged man.

“You came, so did we. Fate brings us together. You are the strongest talent of this generation in Tianzhong Province and our hope. In this final period, each of us can answer one question for you,” said the last man.

“Seeing so many books and the primal liquid, I was so excited I lost track of time during seclusion!” Jiang Ming said with a bow. “I humbly beg forgiveness for troubling you, seniors.”

One sighed, “If only you had come earlier, your achievements might have been greater.”

Arriving earlier means more accumulation.

What heights could that have reached?

Without background or backing, relying only on two secret realms to grow this far—it was incredible.

To them, low-level secret realms were incomparable to this place.

“If I had come earlier, I might have missed the necessary tempering,” Jiang Ming smiled.

“Good attitude. Gains and losses are intertwined in all things,” another said. “Alright, you may ask your questions.”

“Thank you, senior,” Jiang Ming replied earnestly. After some thought, he asked, “On the path of soul cultivation, does one naturally comprehend the soul realm?”

“Yes and no,” the middle-aged man on the left answered. “The soul path includes the mind master techniques, reputed to be invincible among equals. Early stages seem weak, which is true. But at level six, it becomes truly terrifying.”

“Soul path level six is also called the Domain. The term ‘Domain’ isn’t perfect, but it explains much.”

“Within the Domain, I am king.”

“Once the soul path reaches level six, one must comprehend the soul realm. Without it, one cannot break through to level six and at best is a pseudo-level six.”

“Understand?”

He smiled and asked.

“Yes,” Jiang Ming nodded. “Soul path and soul realm are distinct. But the soul realm is essential to reaching level six; without it, breakthrough is impossible.”

“Exactly,” the man nodded. “At soul path level six, one can trap minds, destroy hearts, and extinguish wills with a thought. Within the Domain, one can turn illusion into reality and suppress all techniques. It is said one thought can kill or control myriad methods. Even the celestial pressure of the Heavenly Phenomenon Realm can be dispersed. The body path’s vigorous blood energy suppresses Yin spirits, but with the Domain as a shell, it becomes truly difficult to harm.”

“Each path has unique traits and forbidden powers.”

Jiang Ming listened intently.

He recalled the “level six soul cultivators” he’d met in the Tianxuan World, likely pseudo-level six, with weak Domains—most probably fake Domains.

“The level six Domain is constructed fundamentally on the soul realm. If it is formed by other realms merged with soul power, it is a pseudo-Domain, a fake level six,” the middle-aged man added.

“Thank you, senior!” Jiang Ming finally understood.

Long Aotian and the others listened with great interest.

He asked a second question: “I know of fifteen major realms in the world, but neither books, the internet, nor here record more than ten. Why? What are the other five besides the peak realm?”

“You know there are fifteen realms?” The middle-aged man in the center was surprised. “That shouldn’t be.”

“I learned it in the secret realm worlds,” Jiang Ming replied simply.

Their expressions turned strange.

Instructor Yu’s was the same.

They looked at Jiang Ming with complex emotions.

Clearly, this single sentence revealed much.

The middle-aged man cleared his throat. “The ten realms can be comprehended, but the other five—Great Fate, Great Fortune, Great Comprehension, Great Willpower—are unattainable. They are concealed because if widely known, some might pursue them prematurely, wasting cultivation time.”

“The ten realms are: Time, Space, Soul, Cause and Effect, World, Yin and Yang, Light and Dark, Infinity, Reincarnation, and Life and Death.”

“Besides these, there are five even more terrifying realms!”

“The first is Chaos Realm, encompassing all things, the source of the Dao, origin of all, the path of destruction and return to nothingness.”

“This is theoretical; no one has attained the Chaos Realm according to ancient records.”

“The second is the Spacetime Realm, a fusion of time and space.”

“Our existence follows time’s order and space’s foundation. Spacetime power seems tangible but is the most mysterious. Time or space alone is rare, let alone spacetime.”

“The third is the Heaven-Opening Realm!”

“This realm wields ultimate destructive power—creating heaven and earth, destroying all things without exception.”

“No soul, blood energy, or anything can withstand the Heaven-Opening Realm.”

“The fourth is the Creation Realm.”

“Legend says one who attains this realm can deprive all life of vitality or endow all things with spirit, even create new life.”

“Too mysterious.”

“The fifth is the Peak Realm.”

“Heaven-Opening relates to creation and destruction.”

“The Peak Realm is the compression of ultimate power, condensing the strongest penetrating force that can pierce space and reach the end of time.”

“Some say the end of the Peak Realm is Chaos!”

“Though these five powers are intriguing to hear, truly attempting to comprehend them requires reaching the Tianren Realm. Otherwise, it’s a waste of time, youth, and life.”

The elder laid bare all he knew.

Yet it was vague, mostly hearsay.

Regardless, Jiang Ming now had a clearer concept.

Chaos, Heaven-Opening, Spacetime, Creation, Peak…

He memorized them firmly.

Long Aotian and the others were deeply shaken.

They had never accessed such secret knowledge.

Today was an eye-opener.

“Last question: Is there a gene evolution method in the path of body refinement?” Jiang Ming asked finally.

With that, he passed the second test in one go.

Impressive and mighty.

Starting tomorrow, he aimed to write more.

Keep it up!

(This chapter ends)