Chapter 1289: Domain

Compared to others, he might have had some advantages, but against his clone, he was constantly getting beaten. The thought alone was disheartening.

Shaking his head, he cast aside his helplessness. A jade box appeared in his palm. He gently opened it, and an ancient book slowly floated out.

The Tatayan Ancient Book!

With a thought, its contents appeared in his mind.

"Indeed, it's the Luo Clan's cultivation method... However, it's not a cultivation technique itself, but merely a cultivation system!"

After finishing reading the book's contents, Zhang Xuan nodded.

The Tatayan Ancient Book recorded Hall Master Yan's understanding of Sage Luo's teachings; it wasn't a Luo Clan cultivation technique, but rather an insight into cultivation.

It was like a new learning method: once mastered, it would inevitably bring significant progress in cultivation.

However... Zhang Xuan, who cultivated the Heaven's Path Divine Art, already possessed the best learning method. Although the other party's method was good and far superior to many techniques, it was still useless to him.

"I thought it would be more valuable... what a pity!"

After studying it for a while longer, he couldn't help but shake his head.

He had originally hoped that by obtaining this book, he could study the Luo Clan's cultivation techniques to better prepare for future events. Now it seemed things wouldn't be that easy.

If the cultivation techniques of a major clan like the Luo Clan were truly leaked, they would have been discovered and reclaimed long ago. How could they be allowed to be auctioned off in a small black market in the Qianchong Empire?

"Although the Luo Clan's cultivation system is quite good, it's still a significant step behind that of Ancient Sage Qiuwu."

Both involved studying spatial techniques, but Ancient Sage Qiuwu's understanding of space clearly grasped its essence, whereas the Luo Clan's was still lacking. Nevertheless... it had to be said that the two techniques did bear similarities.

They seemed to share a common origin.

"Right, if I combine this cultivation technique with the second level of the Spatial Derivations Heavenly Tome, can it form a Heaven's Path Divine Art?"

A thought sparked in his mind.

The Spatial Derivations Heavenly Tome had five levels in total. So far, he had only cultivated the first level to its peak. The reasons he hadn't continued were, firstly, that the second level had too many flaws, and secondly, his cultivation and strength were insufficient.

Now that his strength had reached the peak of the Primordial Spirit realm, far surpassing his previous power, perhaps he could give it a try.

"Correct!"

He found the texts of the Spatial Derivations Heavenly Tome's second level and, in a blink of an eye, merged them with the Tatayan Ancient Book.

"It really works..."

He eagerly opened it, and his eyes immediately lit up.

The five realms of the Spatial Derivations Heavenly Tome were: Shrinking Ground, Traversing, Mastery, Destruction, and Creation.

He had already cultivated the first level, Shrinking Ground, to its peak. Combined with "Unrestricted Traveler," a single movement could take him a hundred meters away, at a speed akin to teleportation.

His mastery over space also allowed him to fight against experts at the Half-Domain realm.

Now that he had the second level Heaven's Path Divine Art, serious study would surely allow him to advance further.

Filled with excitement, he grabbed a pile of spirit stones and arranged them before him. While contemplating the comprehension of space within the Traversing realm, he began to cultivate.

Time passed, though he knew not how long.

He stood up, his aura steadily rising.

After a period of cultivation, although he hadn't cultivated the second level, "Traversing," of the Spatial Derivations Heavenly Tome to its peak, his understanding of space had greatly increased.

His previous strength was comparable to a Half-Domain realm expert, but now, he might even be able to contend with a true early-stage Domain realm expert!

"Manifest!"

With a thought, a thin halo of light immediately appeared within a one-meter radius around his body. The space within this halo seemed to be entirely under his control!

"Although this isn't a true domain, it achieves similar effects..."

Clenching his fist, Zhang Xuan's eyes gleamed as he carefully felt the halo's effects.

This halo, formed by his understanding of space and aided by his soul power, was almost identical to a domain. Within a one-meter radius of his body, he had absolute control, rendering him virtually invincible.

"Let's test its power!"

With a flick of his finger, the Golden Origin Cauldron appeared before him.

"Attack me with all your might!"

"Alright!" The Golden Origin Cauldron responded with a slight hesitation, then whistled through the air, diving straight towards him.

The cauldron, possessing the combat power of a late-stage Nascent Divinity realm expert, was incredibly fast, seemingly surpassing the speed of sound. However, as soon as it reached within one meter of Zhang Xuan, it immediately slowed down.

"Stop!"

With a soft shout.

The cauldron immediately stopped just as it was about to hit his body, unable to move no matter how much it struggled.

"If I wished, I could easily crush the Golden Origin Cauldron's sentience and severely damage its body..."

Feeling the power he wielded, Zhang Xuan was astonished.

No wonder it was said that in the Saint realm, each level beyond the Nascent Divinity realm represented a huge difference. Now it seemed to be true.

He had previously thought that Half-Domain realm experts, with enough numbers, could easily defeat an early-stage Domain realm expert. Now, it seemed almost impossible!

Within a domain's range, one was simply invincible... unless one possessed even greater power to shatter it, or interfered with the opponent's ability to activate their domain... otherwise, resistance was futile.

"However, the consumption of True Qi and primordial spirit by a domain is simply too immense..."

Releasing the Golden Origin Cauldron, Zhang Xuan dispelled the halo around his body, and a wave of fatigue immediately washed over him.

Although this domain-like halo was powerful, making him virtually invincible, its consumption of True Qi and primordial spirit was shockingly immense.

Even with his cultivation of the Conferred Saint Scripture and being a Heaven-Acknowledged Saint, after using it for ten-odd breaths, he felt utterly exhausted, as if all his True Qi had been depleted.

"I should try to use it sparingly in the future..."

This technique was indeed powerful, but its high consumption made it very dangerous for him. He should use it less often in the future, unless it was a matter of life and death!

"Right, now that I've comprehended a domain-like spatial ability, can I easily crush my clone in a fight?"

After resting for a while and recovering his depleted True Qi, he remembered something, and Zhang Xuan's fist tightened.

He had always been suppressed by his clone. Now that he had comprehended a domain-like ability, he should be able to easily win against it!

Acting on the thought, he summoned his clone.

Without another word, the battle began, shaking the ground.

The Golden Origin Cauldron huddled to one side, trembling.

After three breaths, dark circles appeared under Zhang Xuan's eyes. After five breaths, he was spitting large mouthfuls of blood. After ten breaths, he lay on the ground, unable to move...

"Let's fight again next time..."

Feeling utterly disheartened, Zhang Xuan quickly circulated his Heaven's Path True Qi to recover his strength.

He had thought that by comprehending the domain, he could make his clone cry for its parents, but the result was... his clone still beat him miserably.

How exactly did that guy cultivate...

He always thought he could win, only to get thrashed... It was the same every time!

Simply monstrous!

After two cycles of True Qi circulation, his injuries were fully recovered. Giving his clone a helpless look, Zhang Xuan no longer lingered and left the beehive.

If this wouldn't work... he'd get his revenge next time his strength surged again!

He walked out of the room.

It was already bright outside. After a night of cultivation, although he still wasn't a match for his clone, his strength had greatly increased, leaving him refreshed and delighted.

Just as he walked into the courtyard, he saw Zhang Jiuxiao hurrying over: "Teacher Zhang, I've broken through to the late-stage Primordial Spirit realm, haha..."

His excitement was barely contained.

The other party had always progressed rapidly, and now that he had caught up, a sense of pride welled up within him.

Being able to keep up with the cultivation speed of a Heaven-Acknowledged Master Teacher... wasn't that something to boast about?

"Congratulations!" Zhang Xuan nodded.

"Don't mention it... My cultivation is now the same as Teacher Zhang's. I should be able to pass the re-re-examination..."

Mid-sentence, Zhang Jiuxiao suddenly choked, his face twitched twice, and he looked over with a hint of doubt: "Teacher Zhang... you, you've reached the peak of the Primordial Spirit realm?"

"Yes, I had enough accumulation, so I just broke through along the way!"

Zhang Xuan nodded.

"Enough accumulation? Along the way..."

Zhang Jiuxiao nearly burst into tears.

What accumulation are you talking about?!

He just broke through yesterday, and after one night, he progressed... What did you accumulate?

After reaching the Primordial Spirit realm, others need to accumulate for over ten or even several decades for just a minor level. You did it in one night... Must you be so heaven-defying?

His eyes reddened, Zhang Jiuxiao felt his newly ignited confidence extinguished once more.

Other cultivators who progress quickly have unstable power and weak combat strength... This guy progresses so fast, and more importantly, his ability to fight beyond his level is still so fierce...

He really couldn't compare himself to him; otherwise, he wouldn't even know how he died.

Seeing Zhang Jiuxiao so utterly defeated, the gloom from being thrashed by his clone earlier completely dissipated. Zhang Xuan nodded in satisfaction.

Compared to his clone, he was still far inferior, but compared to others, he certainly had an advantage.

"Teacher Zhang, Teacher Zhao wants us to gather in the main hall. The re-examination is about to begin..."

Knowing that continuing to discuss cultivation would only lead to self-humiliation, Zhang Jiuxiao did not pursue the topic further.

Nodding in response, Zhang Xuan followed him out.

Inside the main hall, the thirty-odd Master Teachers he had seen before had already arrived, standing solemnly on either side.

Seeing Zhang Xuan arrive, they each offered a greeting and then said no more.

Standing behind the crowd, he looked up and saw Zhao Xingmo and Hall Master Yue standing in the center.

At this moment, Yue Yiquan's body was still somewhat swollen, with some areas still bruised and reddened. Clearly, he hadn't fully recovered from being beaten by the puppet yesterday.

The higher one's cultivation, the less effective pills became. For someone of his strength, rapid recovery would require at least Grade-8 pills, and such medicine wasn't easily obtainable, even for a Hall Master of the Master Teacher Pavilion.

"Since everyone is here, let's proceed with the re-examination!"

Taking a step forward, Zhao Xingmo surveyed the room: "The Saint Son Hall recruits students based on strength, wisdom, strategic vision... all can serve as evaluation criteria. In the preliminary examination, we tested combat power, and anyone with sufficient strength could pass. The re-examination won't be so simple!"

"Now, I will explain the rules for the re-examination!"

Everyone's gaze simultaneously focused on him.

It concerned their entry into the Saint Son Hall, so it was crucial, and they feared missing a single word.

"The re-examination's assessment, though it sounds complex, actually has only one rule: find every possible way to eliminate your opponent!"

With a solemn gaze, Zhao Xingmo swept his hand: "In other words... it's a cage match!"