Chapter 1284: Cangyuan's Mood

A 9.7-inch Nascent Source.

Cang Yuan's face showed a momentary loss of composure. His gaze was fixed on Zhou Yuan, and his unusual reaction surprised Zhou Yuan, as Cang Yuan hadn't reacted so strongly even when he discovered Zhou Yuan's spirit had advanced to the Spirit Wandering stage. However, Cang Yuan's distraction lasted only a few short breaths before he recovered. He looked at Zhou Yuan with a peculiar glint in his eye and slowly said, "It seems you don't understand what a 9.7-inch Nascent Source represents."

"While a spirit at the Spirit Wandering stage is powerful, it's not unheard of in the world."

"But a 9.7-inch Nascent Source... in all the history I know, such instances are extremely rare."

It's important to understand that for many Nascent Source experts, once their Nascent Source reaches eight inches at this stage, they've almost exhausted their potential. At this point, some fortunate individuals might be able to create a pseudo-Dharma Domain, but unless significant changes occur in their future, they will remain at this level for the rest of their lives.

To truly enter the Dharma Domain stage, one must possess a nine-inch Nascent Source; only then is there hope. Beyond nine inches, even a slight increase brings unparalleled changes. It is rumored that a Nascent Source reaching 9.5 inches indicates the potential to become a Saint. If it surpasses the 9.5-inch mark, then as long as the individual doesn't perish prematurely, there is a ninety percent chance they will achieve Sainthood in the future! This is virtually stepping into the ranks of Saint-level candidates!

Now, with Zhou Yuan's Nascent Source reaching 9.7 inches, from a certain perspective, he can be considered a pre-Saint. This is even more convincing than the evaluation of "Saintly Demeanor" given by the ancient expert Jin Luo back then. Moreover, what truly stirred Cang Yuan's heart was that Zhou Yuan was still at the Great Perfection stage of the Nascent Source, not even having created a pseudo-Dharma Domain. He understood that this wasn't because Zhou Yuan couldn't, but because he chose not to. Because Zhou Yuan still had ambition. 9.7 inches had not satisfied him!

And if Zhou Yuan could truly further develop his potential, once he reaches 9.8 inches... Cang Yuan mused. In the long history he knew, anyone who could excavate their potential to such an extent at the Nascent Source stage would likely qualify to reach the Three-Lotus Saint realm in the future. While the outcome isn't guaranteed, it certainly offers a greater chance than others. Three-Lotus Saint... This was a realm even Cang Yuan pursued. Looking across all the Heavens, only the three ancient venerables of the Genesis Shrine reached this realm. From this, one could see the immense value of a 9.8-inch Nascent Source... No wonder Cang Yuan experienced a rare moment of distraction when he heard Zhou Yuan's Nascent Source was now 9.7 inches.

The turmoil in his heart gradually subsided, and Cang Yuan's expression returned to normal. He said, "I am but a step away from the Three-Lotus realm. If one day you can also reach this realm, then my Tianyuan Region will truly become a force second only to the Genesis Shrine." At this point, Cang Yuan couldn't help but smile. He didn't have much personal interest in it, but thinking about it still gave him a sense of accomplishment.

Zhou Yuan was also a bit astonished. The Three-Lotus Saints were the most powerful beings in all the Heavens. He hadn't expected that he, too, would now begin to qualify to aspire to that level.

"During your two years of secluded cultivation, many things have happened in the Heavens. Overall, the changes in these past two years have been more significant than in the previous several decades combined," Cang Yuan said, changing the subject without elaborating further.

"Oh?" Zhou Yuan immediately looked surprised.

Cang Yuan then provided a detailed account of the major events that had occurred in the Heavens over the past two years, especially concerning the Void Battlefield. Upon hearing this, Zhou Yuan couldn't help but feel moved. Had friction already begun between the Heavens and the Saint Race? Although it was currently confined to the so-called Void Battlefield, it was clearly a precursor to a major move by the Saint Race. Just thinking about the immensely powerful Saint Race, even Zhou Yuan felt his heart sink, experiencing immense pressure.

"Over these two years, the Nascent Source stage cultivators in the Heavens have significantly improved, both in number and quality. Many prodigies have continuously emerged, which can be seen as heroes being created by the times," Cang Yuan sighed, then smiled. "However, the greatest credit for this development goes to Yaoyao."

"Yaoyao?" Zhou Yuan was stunned.

Cang Yuan nodded and said, "More precisely, it's the 'Ancestral Dragon Pill' created by Yaoyao."

Zhou Yuan was utterly bewildered, feeling as if the entire world had changed during his two years of seclusion. What was this Ancestral Dragon Pill? He had never heard of it before.

"Speaking of which, Yaoyao got the inspiration for this from when she sealed you two in Ancestral Soul Mountain for training... Now, both the Heavens and the Saint Race are searching the chaotic void for places that seal Saint God matter. There, remnants of Ancestral Dragon Will usually exist. If even a small fragment of this Ancestral Dragon Will can be captured, it can be brought back to Yaoyao, who will use it as a material to refine the Ancestral Dragon Pill."

"This Ancestral Dragon Pill has a remarkably clear enhancing effect on cultivators at the Nascent Source and Dharma Domain stages. This is the primary reason why the cultivation speed of Nascent Source cultivators in the Heavens has more than doubled in just two short years."

"Currently, this Ancestral Dragon Pill has caused a frenzy of demand throughout the Heavens."

"And to obtain this material, Nascent Source and Dharma Domain cultivators from all the Heavens are voluntarily entering the Void Battlefield, searching for those sealed locations, strengthening the seals, and simultaneously collecting those remnants of Ancestral Dragon souls."

As he spoke of these things, even Cang Yuan's face showed a hint of admiration. Refining Ancestral Dragon remnants and will into an Ancestral Dragon Pill was something even he, or rather, the three ancient venerables, could not achieve. In the entire world, perhaps only Yaoyao could tame the Ancestral Dragon Will. Even the Saint God couldn't do this.

"Currently, Yaoyao's reputation in the Heavens is incredibly widespread; even old fellows like us can't quite compare to her. People across the Heavens revere her as the 'Ancestral Dragon Goddess'... And some rather eccentric individuals have even established a so-called 'Goddess Cult'..." At this point, Cang Yuan looked somewhat exasperated and amused, feeling a bit out of touch with the trends of the younger generation. Zhou Yuan listened, utterly dumbfounded.

"Considering everything Yaoyao has done, her contributions are likely far greater than ours, old as we are... But I know that Yaoyao is willing to do all this largely because of you," Cang Yuan said, suddenly looking at Zhou Yuan. "The Saints of the Genesis Shrine originally had differing attitudes towards Yaoyao. Because of the Saint God, some radical Saints were wary of innate deities, fearing that Yaoyao might become the next Saint God."

"After all, deities are too supreme; no one knows how they would treat the beings of the Heavens."

"Although I secretly took Yaoyao from the Genesis Shrine back then and protected her as she was born and grew, and I treated her like a daughter, I always knew that my feelings for her stemmed from her unique identity. So, strictly speaking, this affection contains impurities."

"Yaoyao also understands this. Therefore, while she respects me, as her divinity strengthens, her feelings for me will gradually become more detached. In this world, only your and Tun Tun's affection for her is truly pure. So, the reason Yaoyao chooses to do so much for the Heavens now is actually because of your existence."

"Without you two... even I am unsure if Yaoyao would truly help the Heavens."

Zhou Yuan looked at Cang Yuan's complex expression, momentarily at a loss for words. What Cang Yuan said was indeed true; he had protected Yaoyao for many years largely due to her identity. To be fair, this wasn't really Cang Yuan's fault, and ordinary people would likely understand. However, Yaoyao was clearly not what one would call an ordinary person. The resurgence of divinity inherently isolates and erodes such emotions. And if these emotions contain impurities, they are even more likely to be erased. From Cang Yuan's account, Zhou Yuan could surmise that Yaoyao's divinity had likely revived further over the past two years, and this time, it was even beginning to affect the emotional bond between Cang Yuan and her. This couldn't help but stir a hint of worry in Zhou Yuan's heart.

Cang Yuan, apparently just wanting to confide these thoughts, and not needing an answer from Zhou Yuan, quickly suppressed his emotions and smiled at Zhou Yuan. "Come, I'll take you to see her."

As he spoke, he suddenly paused, a playful glint appearing on his face.

"Oh, right, there's one more thing I forgot to tell you... In these past two years, Yaoyao's reputation has become immense, attracting countless prodigies. It's only natural, given her beauty and demeanor; there are very few men in the world who wouldn't be captivated by her..."

"It's just that her status is too extraordinary, so ordinary people wouldn't dare express anything to her."

"However, not everyone is ordinary. There's one remarkable fellow who somehow managed to disregard Yaoyao's status and relentlessly pursue her for two years..."

As his words fell, he immediately felt the atmospheric pressure beside him suddenly drop. Turning his head, he saw Zhou Yuan gritting his teeth.

"Damn it, I can't believe there'd be a day when someone tries to steal my girl!"