Chapter 1348: The Hidden Dragon Emerges from the Sea, Shocking the Ancestral Tree; Relying on Time and Space to Perform the Great Thousand

The concept of Qi Hai disappeared.

The Shengdi Lv.0 breathing method was so powerful that it fundamentally changed Xu Xiaoshou's essence.

Every cell in his body was now breathing without end, no longer converging into a Qi Hai. All that remained was the endless exchange of inhaling and exhaling. His entire body was now a Qi Hai, brimming with Ling Yuan.

The circulation of heavenly energy repeatedly refined and purified his Bao Ti…

Xu Xiaoshou’s body was already free of impurities, a state achieved after enhancing it.

When even the last traces of his acquired aura were washed away by the Tian Di Ling Qi, Xu Xiaoshou felt as if he had returned to a state of primal purity.

Even his breath seemed to carry a hint of Xian Tian Tai Qi, leaving him feeling refreshed and invigorated.

A faint fragrance emanated from him, as if he had transformed into a supreme treasure elixir. If someone were to refine and consume him, it would be no less potent than swallowing a sacred herb.

Yet, this was merely the initial transformation from the Shengdi Lv.0 breathing method. As he continued to breathe passively in the future, this human-shaped sacred elixir would evolve further.

“I’ve become like Tang Seng?”

Xu Xiaoshou examined himself up and down, then suddenly leaned back and fell.

Without using any Ling Li, he simply willed it, and his body floated upward.

The Tian Di Ling Qi and all elements around him felt an affinity towards him, as if he were one of them, the master of elements.

Whether walking or floating, he had reverted to an innate state.

Xu Xiaoshou realized he was now fundamentally different from others.

His movements followed his thoughts, signifying he had become a true innate saint, like certain mythical beasts, born extraordinary—this was a change at the core.

Most human semi-saints outside relied on cultivation to shed their mortal shells, but they could never eliminate that final breath of turbidity, remaining as acquired saints forever.

“Not only that, I’ve become desensitized!”

As his body breathed on its own, Xu Xiaoshou looked at his palm, still in disbelief.

In the past, fully unleashing his breathing method would have been overwhelmingly intense.

Now, there was no such reaction—it felt like normal breathing, at most a cool sensation with a subtle minty freshness.

“Tian Zu power?”

“After accepting the inheritance, Ba Zun An said I’m half a Void Clan member.”

“And the Void Clan has a trait: they can devour others’ energy. Is that why I can handle this level of Ling Qi circulation without being overwhelmed?”

This was a major breakthrough!

It meant he could now consume elixirs without limits, even sacred ones?

“Hmm, taking sacred herbs might still have some effect, but at least the recovery time will be much shorter.”

“With this, swallowing ninety-nine Long Xing Zi won’t take much time at all.”

Time was no longer an issue for Xu Xiaoshou…

He reached into the air, and sure enough, the Shi Zu Ying Zhang appeared in his palm.

Xu Xiaoshou summoned the time Dao Pan under his feet, entering a state of harmony with heaven and humanity, and closed his eyes.

Soon after, he sent out his Second True Body.

“How does it feel?”

“I’m starting to notice something.”

“What about now?”

“It’s really slowing down!”

“And now?”

“It’s good, the time flow has changed. You test the limit again…”

“This is the limit!”

Recalling his Second True Body to the Yuan Fu World, Xu Xiaoshou opened his eyes, excitement in his gaze.

His comprehension of time was still not great.

But with the Shi Zu Ying Zhang, he could adjust the time flow in the Yuan Fu World relative to the outside world to a ten-to-one ratio, speeding it up or slowing it down. The limit was this proportion, likely tied to his cultivation level.

But that was enough!

It meant that in the future, he could accelerate time for recovery from injuries in the Yuan Fu World, or slow it down for secluded cultivation, all at his command.

The effect covered the entire Yuan Fu World, not just himself—for example, the spiritual herbs planted there would mature ten times faster than on the Sheng Shen Da Lu.

The only drawback was that he needed to hold the Shi Zu Ying Zhang while in the Yuan Fu World.

With his Second True Body, he could handle that task easily. For instance, his main body could hold the Shi Zu Ying Zhang outside, while his Second True Body stood on the time Dao Pan in the Yuan Fu World…

Just thinking about it excited Xu Xiaoshou.

He had once dreamed of obtaining a treasure that could alter time flow to transform the Yuan Fu World into a perfect cultivation space, helping his companions grow.

Little did he expect that one day, he could achieve something like this on his own.

“Time…”

This truly showcased the power of the time attribute!

After calming himself, Xu Xiaoshou didn’t rush to use this time advantage to consume the Long Xing Zi—it was the last step in his plan, something he could do anytime.

He spent another one million passive points to exchange for ten fourth-tier skill points.

“Sheng Sheng Bu Xi (Wang Zuo Lv.1).”

“Yuan Qi Man Man (Wang Zuo Lv.1).”

“Sheng Sheng Bu Xi (Shengdi Lv.0).”

“Yuan Qi Man Man (Shengdi Lv.0).”

Boom! Boom!

The Yuan Fu World echoed with thunderous roars once more.

But as before, these two fundamental passive skills only summoned thunder sounds, not a full Sheng Jie.

The Long Xing Zhi Ling in the Shen Nong Drug Garden was awakened again, its gaze fixed intently on the distant Xu Xiaoshou, filled with bewilderment and curiosity.

This human had initially only summoned the Nine Deaths Thunder Tribulation.

Then, with the “Plunder Method,” he could invoke Sheng Jie sounds, and now, two more in succession.

“How strange…”

“Truly strange!”

By now, the Long Xing Zhi Ling could sense the surging, vast power within Xu Xiaoshou’s body.

Beyond the Tian Zu power, his essence, energy, and spirit were overflowing, as if he had shed his weak shell and become a humanoid ancient divine beast.

No matter how you looked at it, this body didn’t seem like something a fragile species like humans could cultivate.

His very essence had been changed!

“Gaining the favor of the Tian Zu spirit must mean there’s something extraordinary about him. Perhaps…”

The Long Xing Zhi Ling had been somewhat resentful about Xu Xiaoshou’s earlier rude demands, but now it felt a hint of wariness and decided to let bygones be bygones.

A transaction it would be!

After all, it wasn’t outright robbery—he even knew to exchange with dragon blood.

This human boy was right; he was worth investing in!

Now, it needed to consider becoming the first ancestral tree in this nascent world.

As this human continued to break through and the world evolved, its own status would rise with the tide, rather than being overshadowed by other ancestral trees…

The Long Xing Zhi Ling glanced at the feeble Pu Ti Tree roots, its eyes full of disdain.

That thing might grow into a competitor, but it was too weak now, even with Hong Meng Zi Qi.

But what if this human boy brought in a whole Pu Ti ancient tree later?

The Long Xing Zhi Ling suddenly felt a sense of crisis and spoke abruptly: “Human… Xu Xiaoshou!”

“What is it, senior?”

Xu Xiaoshou was still savoring the transcendent changes from Sheng Sheng Bu Xi and Yuan Qi Man Man when he heard the call and stepped forward.

He swore that from now on, there was no chance his endurance would ever fall short.

Something like “One Step to Heaven” was limited only by perception range and wouldn’t drain his Qi Hai anymore.

Besides, he no longer fully relied on Qi Hai!

After upgrading these three fundamental passive skills to Shengdi level, Xu Xiaoshou even felt he could casually perform “Sacred Five-Finger Seal Technique” with endless sustain.

A human-shaped bomber in endless mode!

But Xu Xiaoshou wasn’t satisfied yet—there was no end to the path of endurance!

Passive points: 5,062,544.

That was what remained after the two Shengdi-level passive skills.

He couldn’t worry about passive points dwindling rapidly now. Xu Xiaoshou exchanged another 500,000.

As he stepped forward, the void echoed with Sheng Jie thunder.

“Zhuan Hua (Wang Zuo Lv.2).”

“Zhuan Hua (Wang Zuo Lv.3).”

“Zhuan Hua (Shengdi Lv.0).”

Passive points: 4,562,544.

Boom! The thunder followed him.

The Long Xing Zhi Ling watched this human boy, who endlessly devoured and converted energy as if harboring 100,000 volcanoes within, and felt a moment of daze.

Was this really a human?

Are you the Long Xing, or am I?

How does it feel like you hold more power inside than I do, enough to produce even better Long Xing Zi?

“Dost thou seek to become a saint?” the Long Xing Zhi Ling pondered aloud.

“No.” Xu Xiaoshou shook his head. “I’m just cultivating normally.”

Normally… just… The Long Xing Zhi Ling blinked its golden eyes and swiftly changed the topic:

“Dost thou know of the world tree?”

World tree?

What’s this Long Xing Zhi Ling up to, suddenly bringing this up?

Xu Xiaoshou was a bit puzzled.

He wasn’t very clear on the world tree, but the Long Xing Zhi Ling had shifted from calling him “human boy” to “Xu Xiaoshou,” showing clear respect.

Obviously, it had noticed his breakthroughs and couldn’t sit still—it wanted to discuss serious matters.

“The world tree, I know a little, but I haven’t lived as long as you, senior, who’s seen so much, so I’d like to hear more.”

The Long Xing Zhi Ling nodded slightly, noting this human boy’s commendable traits—he was respectful and humble.

“In the chaos’s dawn, heaven and earth parted, birthing nine trees to bear a realm—these are the nine great ancestral trees of later ages.”

“Wait.” Xu Xiaoshou interrupted. “I heard you grew into an ancestral tree by bathing in the Long Zu blood, right?”

The Long Xing Zhi Ling raised an eyebrow but ignored the ignorant human boy, continuing:

“The nine ancestral trees each have unique abilities, their statuses predetermined in the ether. In one era, one cycle, they manifest in various forms, with no fixed outcome.”

“Fate brings forth beings like me, and beyond their individual wonders, ancestral trees hold the power to stabilize a world and anchor its boundaries.”

Xu Xiaoshou pondered this.

The Long Xing Zhi Ling meant that the nine ancestral trees were like the nine great boundary treasures of a continent?

They were born of heaven and earth, so even without Long Xing, they might appear as other forms, like Long Tao trees or Long Yan trees?

World tree… Xu Xiaoshou was starting to grasp the concept.

The Long Xing Zhi Ling knew this human boy was quick-witted and would understand with a few hints. It turned its gaze to the Yuan Fu World and said slowly:

“This realm, born from chaos, lacks a supreme divine object to anchor it. Such things are rare in the world; you might search a lifetime and find only one or two.”

“What about the Life Spirit Seal?” Xu Xiaoshou pointed to his prized possession, which had established the life rules for the Yuan Fu World—it was a great treasure.

“Not enough.”

“What about the Dao Pattern Origin Stone?” He pointed again; it had laid the foundational rules for the Yuan Fu World.

“Also not enough.”

“Then, what about these?” Xu Xiaoshou gestured to his spoils vault, piled with various secret treasures plundered from enemies, including Yi Wen Bei divine artifacts.

“They might stabilize the world initially, but for true evolution, it’s far from sufficient.” The Long Xing Zhi Ling explained.

Xu Xiaoshou raised an eyebrow, not thinking the other was joking.

He had indeed felt that for the Yuan Fu World to fully evolve, relying solely on the Life Spirit Seal, Dao Pattern Origin Stone, and a collection of Yi Wen Bei divine artifacts wouldn’t cut it.

“What do you mean, senior?” He asked directly.

“If I so will it, I can become the world tree of this realm, anchoring the eight directions of space, constructing the cycle of life and death, and laying the foundation of the great dao… From then on, no other divine objects are needed. This world will unlock its potential, and in time, evolve from a small thousand world to a great thousand world.”

Xu Xiaoshou was stunned.

The Long Xing Zhi Ling wanted to become the world tree of the Yuan Fu World?

His eyes lit up. If the Yuan Fu World had the potential to become a great thousand world like the Sheng Shen Da Lu, then as its lord…

“However, one thing is still needed.”

“What thing?” Xu Xiaoshou’s speech had been influenced.

The Long Xing Zhi Ling’s gaze fixed on the object in the human boy’s hand:

“To anchor with the space ancestral tree, time must be transformed into an eternal path.”

“Only this object can borrow the power of time to evolve the great thousand world.”

At this, a hint of confusion flashed in the Long Xing Zhi Ling’s eyes.

It had seen the potential in the Yuan Fu World and this human boy, but for the world to truly evolve, time was still missing.

And the object in Xu Xiaoshou’s hand filled that gap.

If this object were bound to it, with space and time rules in place, the Yuan Fu World’s evolution into a great thousand world was just a matter of time.

“Shi Zu Ying Zhang?” Xu Xiaoshou looked down, surprised the Long Xing Zhi Ling could see it.

But he sighed, “I’m afraid that won’t work. The Shi Zu Ying Zhang was given to me by someone else, and even I can’t fully control it yet. As a second boundary treasure, it’s too unstable.”

What if he needed it in battle and accidentally summoned it, causing the Yuan Fu World to collapse?

“No need to worry.”

The Long Xing Zhi Ling shook its illusory dragon head. “I will stabilize the world myself; the Shi Zu Ying Zhang is merely an enhancement to speed up the evolution.”

“You can control it?” Xu Xiaoshou raised the object in his hand.

The Long Xing Zhi Ling replied: “Time is formless and cannot be controlled, only utilized.”

“If it can’t be controlled, what if something goes wrong?” Xu Xiaoshou asked, disheartened.

He was both afraid and doubtful, wondering how Kong Yu Hen could have given him something that even the Long Xing Zhi Ling couldn’t handle.

“Not so. With this staff, it’s sufficient for now. As for later…” The Long Xing Zhi Ling fell silent, its eyes smiling as it looked at Xu Xiaoshou.

Later?

Xu Xiaoshou paused, then understood.

The Shi Zu Ying Zhang would suffice for the early stages; later, he could handle it himself, right?

Was the time Dao Pan just for show?

Lack of comprehension wasn’t an issue—he could use passive points or Dao Seeds to force his way through. Then, he’d essentially become the next Kong Yu Hen!

By then, forget the Shi Zu Ying Zhang; his very existence could be like half a Shi Zu!

“I understand.”

Xu Xiaoshou was moved, realizing the Long Xing Zhi Ling was ultimately banking on his extraordinary potential.

It would handle the world’s evolution and anchor space.

For time, it would leave that to the recently noticed time Dao Pan!

“But why this sudden interest, senior?” Having been played before, Xu Xiaoshou was instinctively cautious, suspecting the Long Xing Zhi Ling might be trying to trick him.

The Long Xing Zhi Ling heard this and silently lifted its gaze to the distance, its eyes filled with unspoken sorrow.

It was tired.

From the Long Cave, to the Void Island, to the current Yuan Fu World… nowhere was stable!

Always being dug up and forcibly relocated.

It hadn’t minded before, but now, the Long Xing Zhi Ling sensed an undercurrent of change in the era.

It could imagine the scenario Xu Xiaoshou described: if all its Long Xing Zi were stripped and thrown onto the Sheng Shen Da Lu, countless semi-saints would swarm to divide it.

It didn’t want to move anymore, didn’t want to be relocated, and certainly didn’t want to be plucked by yet another person.

From the Long Cave to the Void Island to this place… each time, the one digging it up required more effort, which inversely proved this human boy’s potential.

Since he had such potential, and his cultivation was unlike any human’s, clearly with non-human qualities, and the Yuan Fu World already had the foundation to become a full realm, just lacking a world tree…

Everything was in place!

The rest was just a thought from it, sparing a bit of power to protect this world, which would in turn protect itself.

Why not?

The Long Xing Zhi Ling wanted a home…

But it couldn’t say this outright—it was too straightforward. So, it looked at the human boy and said profoundly:

“In the human realm, two parts from fate’s decree; heaven’s gifts, if not taken, bring calamity instead.”

Xu Xiaoshou’s spirit shook, feeling as if these ethereal sacred words enlightened him, even giving him the illusion of being heaven’s chosen.

He thought it over and figured the Long Xing wasn’t the restless type; maybe it was just a weary wanderer wanting a home. So, he stepped back, paused his point allocation, and handed over the Shi Zu Ying Zhang:

“Senior, please begin your performance.”