Chapter 2718: Increasingly Clear Sensations

What else in this world, apart from the Spirit of the Dao Confluence Bead, could possibly command all its fragments?

The complete Dao Confluence Bead is a supreme treasure, rumored to be the universe's foremost artifact. However, for reasons unknown, this treasure shattered into countless fragments, scattering across the cosmos.

Yet, its internal space remained intact, forming the now bustling Hehe Realm, one of the universe's few pure lands.

Many supreme treasures develop their own sentience; some are fully conscious, while others are nascent, much like the Bright Moon Wheel, whose sentience was once indistinguishable from a human's.

It is not surprising that the Dao Confluence Bead, as the universe's premier artifact, developed its own sentience.

What puzzled Lu Ye was a particular statement the Spirit of the Dao Confluence Bead had made to him earlier.

He had always intended to ask about it but never had the opportunity until now.

"Senior, what did you mean by what you said to me back then?"

Despite the passage of a considerable amount of time, Lu Ye still recalled the Spirit of the Dao Confluence Bead saying it had been waiting for him for an extremely long time before it entered his body.

After a brief silence, the Spirit of the Dao Confluence Bead spoke: "Time is short, so I'll be brief. A powerful cultivator once implanted a restriction within me before I gained sentience. I won't elaborate on the nature of this restriction, but to put it simply, it was a method of self-preservation."

"Under his guidance, I shattered myself at a specific point in time, and my spirit concealed itself within the Hehe Realm, waiting in dormancy."

"I didn't know what I was waiting for until your arrival revealed the answer, which is why I chose to attach myself to you."

"Your actions today further solidified this for me. If I'm not mistaken, your cultivation method must also be a legacy of that powerful cultivator, correct?"

"What I was waiting for was your arrival!"

The few simple words from the Spirit of the Dao Confluence Bead profoundly shook Lu Ye.

He had previously heard that the Dao Confluence Bead was shattered during a conflict between powerful beings. Now he realized this was false; the Dao Confluence Bead shattered by its own volition as a means of self-preservation.

Even more startling was the powerful cultivator the artifact spirit spoke of.

If he wasn't mistaken, it was undoubtedly the Dragon-Phoenix Ancestor.

"I have a few questions," Lu Ye said, quickly collecting his thoughts.

The Spirit of the Dao Confluence Bead spoke hurriedly, and its earlier mention of limited time suggested it was wary of something.

"You want to know why I shattered myself, and what I am wary of?" the Spirit of the Dao Confluence Bead asked.

"Yes!"

"You must have some idea. The corrosive power of that will is omnipresent; not only you cultivators, but even we supreme treasures can hardly escape it. If I hadn't shattered myself, I would eventually have been enslaved, which is why I called it a method of self-preservation. It is also what I am wary of, which is why I hide within my own world."

Lu Ye frowned, "So, Senior, you attached yourself to me previously but never communicated; was that also for this reason?"

"Precisely!" the Spirit of the Dao Confluence Bead replied. "I have been constantly sought. Therefore, even while attached to you, I dared not awaken freely until I perceived the change here. This is a small world. I don't know what unique ability you possess that prevents even the Star Abyss aura from permeating it, but this is undoubtedly a pure land."

It originally chose Lu Ye because it sensed he was an exceptionally "clean" individual. Unlike other cultivators entering and exiting the Hehe Realm who showed signs of corrosion, Lu Ye had none, which is why it attached itself to him without hesitation.

Only now, within this unique pure land, did it have the opportunity for a brief exchange with Lu Ye.

"Young man, you will eventually be targeted. Before that happens, strengthen yourself as quickly as possible," the Spirit of the Dao Confluence Bead advised earnestly.

Lu Ye's spirits sank.

In fact, he had long been aware of this issue.

Among cultivators, he was ultimately an anomaly. Possessing the Talent Tree, he was immune to the Star Abyss aura. His current safety was due to the nascent state of that will, which even blessed him under certain operational rules.

However, if that will were to change one day, he would have nowhere to hide. Forget about blessings then; he would likely find it difficult to even exist in the entire universe.

"Furthermore, gather my fragments whenever possible. Should you one day reassemble my true form, even if that will gains full sentience, you will possess the means to contend with it. I will continue to slumber here, awaiting that day!"

The purpose of the Dao Confluence Bead is to harness free Dao power, which is why the Dao Confluence City Lords experience enhanced abilities.

Should the Dao Confluence Bead ever be successfully reassembled, the Dao power of the entire universe would be at Lu Ye's command.

At that point, even the will itself would no longer be able to impede Lu Ye's exertion of power.

However, reassembling the Dao Confluence Bead and restoring its supreme power is an incredibly daunting task. Its numerous fragments are currently scattered across every corner of the universe, with countless Dao Confluence Cities established. Even just the Ten Great Cities represent insurmountable obstacles.

Who could possibly possess the ability to reassemble the Dao Confluence Bead?

After uttering those words, the Spirit of the Dao Confluence Bead became unresponsive, having undoubtedly entered a deep slumber. Even though this was Lu Ye's small world, a form of pure land, it dared not remain conscious for long, fearing detection and subsequent tracing.

A moment later, Lu Ye's consciousness retreated.

Frowning, he sensed something, feeling an inexplicable annoyance.

Ever since leaving the Tower of Time, he had developed a peculiar sensation, as if an unseen force was guiding him toward a specific location.

At first, he paid it no mind, but as the days passed, the sensation grew increasingly clear.

He had some suspicions.

He decided to ignore it.

He continued to activate the Talent Tree's power, absorbing and refining the Dao Confluence Bead fragments. This time, instead of refining them one by one, he spread the entire package before him. As the Talent Tree's power surged, its roots burrowed into all the fragments.

Visibly, the Dao Confluence Bead within the Small Flower Realm slowly expanded, much like a bean absorbing water.

By the time he had completely refined all the fragments, the Dao Confluence Bead within the Small Flower Realm had grown to the size of a longan fruit.

Its luster was subdued, resembling an unpolished jade.

In terms of grade, this was a Yellow-grade Dao Confluence Bead, the lowest tier.

If it were placed in a Dao Confluence City, that city would become a Yellow-grade Dao Confluence City.

Throughout the Inner Realm, there are few Yellow-grade Dao Confluence Cities. This is because upgrading a Dao Confluence Bead of this grade is relatively simple, and cultivators ambitious enough to establish a Dao Confluence City typically possess considerable skill, making it unlikely they would remain confined to the Yellow-grade tier.

The most numerous Dao Confluence Cities in the Inner Realm are likely found between the Desolate-grade and Earth-grade tiers.