Chapter 1935: Entering Heaven [Final Chapter of This Volume]

After battling the "deities," Yan Qing Gushang and the others were reduced to skeletons, their lifespans almost completely depleted. Before leaving, Zhang Xuan had personally witnessed Kong Shiyao encasing them in ice. Only half a year had passed, so they shouldn't have perished.

Kong Shiyao nodded, saying, "They are in a deep slumber..."

"Take me to them!" Zhang Xuan commanded, turning to gather countless streams of mercury-like spiritual energy into his palm.

Kong Shiyao led the way, and before long, they arrived at a sealed chamber. Several skeletons lay side by side on special circular platforms, beneath which various treasures were piled, continuously supplying vital energy to sustain their lives.

While this method couldn't increase their lifespans, it effectively delayed their demise. This was precisely how they had managed to survive for tens of thousands of years.

Approaching Yan Qing Gushang's skeleton, Zhang Xuan flicked a finger, undoing the seal on the circular platform. The ancient sage's skeletal form slowly stirred to life.

"Teacher Zhang!" The skeleton bowed respectfully.

"I've discovered a method to resolve your current predicament," Zhang Xuan stated directly, without preamble. "It's untested, so if successful, your lifespan will be extended, and your strength will greatly increase. However, if it fails, you could die immediately. Senior, would you be willing to try it?"

"I want to try!" Yan Qing Gushang nodded. Having lived for countless years, he had long since come to terms with life and death.

"Excellent. Here is a cultivation technique for circulating true qi. Begin practicing it now, and as your physical body recovers, rearrange your meridians according to this accompanying map!"

With a tap of his finger, the cultivation technique for reversing the Heavenly Dao Art, along with the previously formed meridian map, entered Yan Qing Gushang's mind.

Neither of these was complex, and learning them proved straightforward. Within ten minutes, Yan Qing Gushang had fully grasped them. Though a sense of wonder filled him, he trusted that Teacher Zhang would not harm him. Taking a deep breath, he began circulating his true qi according to the instructions of the technique.

Swish! With a flick of his fingers, Zhang Xuan released the mercury-like spiritual energy he had gathered, allowing it to envelop the surroundings.

Upon witnessing this power, Yan Qing Gushang's skeletal form tensed. Without further hesitation, he gritted his teeth and began absorbing the energy according to the provided true qi circulation method. Just as he worried he might be crushed alive, a strange expression soon appeared on his face.

Following Teacher Zhang's cultivation technique, the mercury-like spiritual energy no longer tore at his meridians. Instead, it provided a sensation of nourishing his body. He continued to absorb it, and within two hours, his physical form had fully regenerated.

Due to the altered meridians, a dense aura of slaughter occasionally emanated from his body, making him resemble an Otherworldly Demon from a distance.

"Excellent. Now, try to break through to the Shattered Void realm!" Zhang Xuan's eyes gleamed as he gave the instruction, seeing the other's success.

Yan Qing Gushang nodded and continued to absorb. His accumulated energy was even more profound than Zhao Ya's. In less than an hour, he successfully broke through, reaching the fourth level of Ancient Sage, and his lifespan increased once more.

His previous life-threatening peril was completely resolved.

"Thank you, Teacher Zhang..." Feeling the surging power within him, Yan Qing Gushang was overwhelmed with emotion. Unable to contain himself, he prostrated himself on the ground.

He had been certain that his severe injuries would be fatal, never dreaming he would survive in such a peculiar manner, let alone break through his previous cultivation and reach the realm he had always yearned for.

"The mercury spiritual energy is indeed potent. Absorbing it not only accelerates cultivation but also speeds up recovery far beyond the effects of ordinary Ancient Sage power..." Seeing his hypothesis proven correct, Zhang Xuan breathed a sigh of relief.

Under normal circumstances, even with ample Ancient Sage power, Yan Qing Gushang's remaining lifespan would not have been sufficient for a complete physical recovery.

However, absorbing the mercury spiritual energy was a different matter. This energy was not only dense but also contained power beyond imagination. As long as one could absorb it, even the most severe injuries could heal rapidly.

Having confirmed the method's feasibility, Zhang Xuan no longer hesitated. He awoke the remaining individuals, brought them to the platform, and followed the same procedure. It didn't take long for most of the Ancient Sages, who had been on the brink of death, to take that final step and become formidable experts of the Shattered Void realm.

Naturally, there were exceptions. Two of the Ancient Sages made errors during their cultivation, resulting in their skeletons shattering under the immense spiritual energy, causing immediate death.

After repeated trials confirmed the viability of this path, Zhang Xuan summoned his disciples. With a powerful slap of his palm, energy enveloped the eight individuals. All of them simultaneously coughed up mouthfuls of blood as their internal meridians were completely shattered.

"Cultivate strictly according to this. You absolutely cannot make a mistake; otherwise, if you die, don't blame me for not warning you!" he stated.

Zhang Xuan calmly imprinted the two crucial items into their minds. Having witnessed the transformation of Yan Qing Gushang and the others, Zheng Yang and his companions knew exactly what to do. Moreover, they were intimately familiar with the simplified Heavenly Dao cultivation techniques. Although they hadn't previously practiced the reversed cultivation, they found it easy to grasp once they began.

Kong Shiyao was the first to fully recover and break through to the Shattered Void realm. She was swiftly followed by Zheng Yang, Wei Ruyan, Lu Chong, and Wang Ying...

Five days later, even Zhang Jiuxiao, who possessed the weakest cultivation among them, successfully broke through to the Shattered Void realm!

By this point, Zhang Xuan, along with his nine direct disciples, had all become formidable super experts at the early stage of the fourth Ancient Sage level.

"Teacher!" Each of them was filled with excitement over their success.

Their teacher had actually accomplished what Master Kong had failed to do in the past.

"I intend to pass through this seal and ascend to the Higher Heavens," Zhang Xuan announced, gathering his disciples before him. "The situation there is unknown; I may encounter countless perils, even facing near-certain death. Do not rush to follow me. Instead, guard the Master Teacher Continent and this place, and await my return."

Gathering everyone before him, Zhang Xuan stated his decision. While his many disciples had been cultivating these past few days, he had continuously pondered his next course of action. He had concluded that it was time to depart and explore the so-called Higher Heavens.

To find Luo Ruoxi, this was the only path.

"Teacher, we wish to go with you..." Zhao Ya stepped forward.

"Indeed, no matter the danger, wherever Teacher is, we shall be, and we will not falter!" Zheng Yang affirmed with a nod.

The other disciples, though silent, each displayed an undeniable resolve.

Their accomplishments thus far were entirely thanks to their teacher. How could they possibly remain here in peace while their teacher embarked on such a perilous journey?

"I appreciate your intentions," Zhang Xuan said with a smile, "but not only is the situation in the Higher Heavens unknown, the Master Teacher Continent also requires your protection. Rest assured, once I ascertain the conditions on the other side of the passage, I will find a way to notify you, perhaps through Liu Yang's sacrificial rituals."

Understanding his students' thoughts, Zhang Xuan smiled. The Higher Heavens were teeming with experts; he could easily handle any danger or situation alone. However, bringing along so many students would complicate matters significantly. Furthermore, each of his disciples had their own responsibilities and couldn't simply depart.

For instance, Liu Yang, as the Emperor of the Otherworldly Demons, oversaw a race that had only recently achieved stability. His departure now could easily trigger another rebellion, plunging them back into an unending conflict with humanity.

"Then... Teacher, please take care!" Knowing their teacher's decision was final and unchangeable, their expressions dimmed, and a collective reluctance showed on their faces.

"Zheng Yang, the Dragon Bone Divine Spear, having been tempered by the mercury spiritual energy, has now also broken through to the Shattered Void realm. I bestow it upon you," Zhang Xuan said. "After I depart, I do not know if those so-called 'deities' will return. I hope you will uphold your original intention and protect humanity!"

With a flick of his wrist, he handed over the Dragon Bone Divine Spear.

To enter the Higher Heavens passage, which was separated by worlds, he could not carry any treasures, including his spatial ring. Furthermore, at his current cultivation realm, this spear's utility had already diminished significantly.

"Wang Ying, you excel at Enlightenment, but that process requires time. I bestow the Golden Origin Cauldron upon you to protect your safety and enhance your strength!"

With a shake of his wrist, he placed the Golden Origin Cauldron before her.

This brick-shaped artifact, having been refined by the mercury spiritual energy over this period, was close to breaking through to the Shattered Void realm, even if it hadn't quite made it. Since he couldn't carry it with him, it was better to leave it to this meticulous young woman.

Only after taking out all his treasures and bestowing them upon his disciples, one by one, did Zhang Xuan finally breathe a sigh of relief.

With all nine disciples having reached the Shattered Void realm, coupled with the assistance of these treasures, they should be able to easily handle any 'deities' that might truly arrive, without becoming flustered.

As for the Ruthless Man, who remained hidden within the Heavenly Dao Tome, Zhang Xuan could simply return him to the Library of Heaven's Path, concealed within his mind. This individual was someone even Master Kong had once feared, and without Zhang Xuan's restraint, he could potentially wreak havoc. Therefore, Zhang Xuan chose not to leave him behind.

There was also a gourd, which was lodged within his dantian and couldn't be removed, so it remained within his body as well.

As for his clone, which was his greatest secret, it had entered the Spring and Autumn Great Codex within the Library of Heaven's Path.

This was an independent space, much like the reading room, which allowed Zhang Xuan to absorb external spiritual energy. Since the clone shared the same soul essence, it could naturally enter with ease.

With all preparations complete, Zhang Xuan shattered the seal he had originally placed, then leaped directly into it.

Previously, this seal had been saturated with mercury spiritual energy, exerting immense pressure on both body and soul. However, now that he had broken through to the Shattered Void realm and absorbed so much of it, his body had been transformed. Upon re-entering, he felt no discomfort; instead, it was like a fish returning to the ocean.

Crack! Crack! Inside the seal, dark fissures appeared as space shattered into countless turbulent currents, swirling towards him like a tempest.

"Fortunately, I reached the Shattered Void realm," he mused. "Otherwise, I wouldn't have made it far before being torn to shreds by this chaotic space..."

After flying for a certain distance, Zhang Xuan's expression grew solemn. The spatial storms here were vastly more powerful than those on the Master Teacher Continent.

Forget about regenerating from a single drop of blood; even an ordinary Shattered Void expert might be unable to withstand it and would be torn apart directly.

It was fortunate that his accumulation was profound and his combat power far surpassed his actual realm; otherwise, he might not have been able to resist.

Even so, his entire body was still covered in blood from the tearing spatial fissures, and his injuries were considerable.

This passage was pathless, filled with annihilated space in every direction. Fortunately, he possessed the ability to discern safe routes; otherwise, if he were to fall into a black hole, no one could predict what might happen.

Rumble! After flying for half a month, an enormous lightning storm appeared before him, completely sealing off his path.

As he pondered how to proceed, a bolt of lightning streaked across the sky, and Zhang Xuan's vision went black. He immediately lost consciousness.