"[Responding to Emperors]."
After hearing Lu Yang's words, doubt visible to the naked eye appeared on Long Tu's face: "How could it be [Responding to Emperors]? This should be the third level."
"This..."
Hearing this, Lu Yang also frowned: "Perhaps because the Heavenly Being's Remnant Consciousness is shattered, the order between levels has also been messed up?"
"Impossible!"
Long Tu shook his head decisively: "The Heavenly Being's Remnant Consciousness is transformed from variables. Its internal operating mechanism is as solid as a rock. It's absolutely impossible to become disordered just because it's shattered. The only possibility is that you have already obtained clues to the second level, having a karma connection, so it led to the third level."
After pondering, Long Tu gave the answer:
"That's right, only this possibility."
"The Heavenly Being's Remnant Consciousness pays attention to karma. Except for our Gatekeeper Lineage which has specific ways to select people for entry and exit, other challengers rely entirely on chance."
"And the reason why you extracted the third level [Responding to Emperors] shows that you already have a karma connection with the second level [Nourishing Life Master], so you don't need coordinates specifically provided. Plus your performance in this level can be called perfect, so you were promoted skipping a grade, and told the coordinates of the third level."
Lu Yang touched his chin upon hearing this.
"So, I can go directly to the third level?"
"Of course you can."
Long Tu nodded, then shook his head again: "But even if you can enter the third level in advance, wanting to clear it can only be said to be as difficult as ascending to heaven."
"Because you skipped the second level and didn't get the reward of the second level. In this way, the difficulty of the third level for you will inevitably multiply several times, almost impossible to pass... So better not aim too high. Find a way to find the second level [Nourishing the Lord of Life] first, then go to the third level."
"I understand."
As his voice fell, Lu Yang looked at Sky-Shrouding beside him. The latter also nodded slightly to him. The two said in unison: "Should be Mu Changsheng."
Regarding the karma of the second level, thinking back and forth, only Mu Changsheng could match.
So it seems Mu Changsheng should have gone to [Nourishing Life Master] back then. And judging from his stunning performance, he probably cleared it too.
The reward of the previous level can provide great help to the next level... The Mortal World provides the Dao Heart, but the Dao Heart also has substitutes.
For example, Golden Nature!
If not out of my expectation, the second level [Nourishing Life Master] might have some means to disturb the Dao Heart. Only with a perfect Dao Heart can one withstand it.
But that was before. With the Grotto-Heaven Method, the Golden Nature blessing of Foundation Establishment Perfection should also be able to immune the influence. Otherwise, Mu Changsheng couldn't have cleared it... But looking at it now, Mu Changsheng being able to create the method of consciousness separation and touch the Dao Heart might also have factors of clearing the level involved...
From this, it can be seen that Long Tu's words are not absolute.
Almost impossible doesn't mean completely impossible.
On the contrary, some who could originally clear the level might get stuck easily when encountering special situations.
For example, The Mortal World was an accident. If not for Sky-Shrouding, this shameless guy, entering with Perfected Lord cultivation, it wouldn't have become a dead end at all.
Thinking of this, Lu Yang cursed Sky-Shrouding secretly in his heart again: Predecessors cut trees, descendants suffer disaster. This naturally evil old bastard definitely did it on purpose, just wanting others not to get the great opportunity of this place!
Of course, after today, it will probably be even harder.
Just one Sky-Shrouding was bad enough; after all, he was still early-stage Golden Core. Now add himself, a mid-stage Golden Core, it can be considered completely hopeless.
But so what? Hopeless is just right. Such a good place that allows people to quickly perfect their Dao Heart, giving it to others would be a waste, right? Especially in this era where Dao Heart cultivation methods are extinct. The more perfect the Dao Heart, the more dangerous it is instead. Better let me bear this danger alone.
However, he and Sky-Shrouding were completely different.
That old bastard's starting point was so bad, only his behavior had some merits. I take the essence and discard the dross, completely out of public interest...
Lu Yang quickly convinced himself.
...
Star Palace, Azure Dragon Constellation.
The current Lord of [Horn Wood Flood Dragon], [Star Lord Clear River]¹, had his hands behind his back, looking calmly at the handsome youth standing below in the main hall.
However, compared to usual, his condition was extremely poor now. Just because he was suddenly strangely injured just now. After deducing for a long time, he learned that the residual image left in The Mortal World back then was killed by someone, affecting his main body. This made him uneasy, suspecting it might be the work of a demon from the Immortal Nexus side.
So he called the youth over.
After a moment of silence, [Star Lord Clear River] said in a low voice: "Hao'er, you have now reached Foundation Establishment Perfection. The accumulation of merit and Dao comprehension is also sufficient."
"However, this level of The Mortal World is extremely dangerous."
"Even not discussing that final gatekeeping retained image, there are also many strong enemies."
"Even the residual image left there by Master back then was defeated by someone. The opponent might be a demonic prodigy from the Immortal Nexus. You must be careful in dealing with it."
The youth looked solemn upon hearing this: "Master, rest assured. Disciple cultivates the [Azure Dragon Constellation], aiming to attain the position of Star Lord with the Supreme Star Chart. No matter how difficult the road ahead, Disciple is confident in dealing with it!"
"Good, ambitious."
[Star Lord Clear River] nodded. Immediately after, he took out a jade tablet from his bosom and handed it to the youth, saying deeply: "Keep this item well."
The youth was stunned seeing this: "This is..."
"This was left by the Gatekeeper Lineage." [Star Lord Clear River] said indifferently: "Back then, the Heavenly Being's Remnant Consciousness shattered, and the Gatekeepers fell apart."
"One branch fell into my Star Palace."
"And to repay our life-saving grace, the Gatekeeper Lineage left this token, which can help us enter the first level, The Mortal World."
Speaking of this, [Star Lord Clear River] also sighed with emotion: "After all, the Heavenly Being's Remnant Consciousness is truly marvelous in ten thousand ways. Without karma connection, even knowing the coordinates, one still cannot enter, only seeing it as a dream bubble or shadow. Otherwise, we would have entered on a large scale long ago."
"Besides this, this item has been blessed by ancestors of past generations, adding a divine wonder that can help you open the Sea of Bitterness and enter the level smoothly."
As his voice fell, [Star Lord Clear River] shook his head with a bitter smile:
"After all, times have changed now. Where do Foundation Establishment Perfected Ones have time to open the Sea of Bitterness? Only using this method to take a shortcut."
"However, only Foundation Establishment Perfected Ones like you can enter holding the jade tablet. Once achieving Golden Core Perfected Lord like Master, it's impossible to enter again."
The youth looked doubtful upon hearing this: "But I heard that the last retained image..."
"That's not a human!"
[Star Lord Clear River] gritted his teeth and said: "That's a bastard! Immortal Nexus demon, cultivating [Great Forest Wood], relying on the Knowledge-Perception Barrier to mix into the level!"
"Shameless!"
Seeming to recall some unbearable past events, [Star Lord Clear River] cursed fiercely for a good while before calming down, continuing to look at the youth:
"However, just as you said... it's not without exceptions."
Speaking of this, [Star Lord Clear River]'s tone was expectant: "If you can borrow the power of the secret realm to attain the [Azure Dragon Constellation] Star Lord, the situation will be different."
"After all, the [Azure Dragon Constellation] is extraordinarily marvelous. Dragons have the change of size, the ability to rise and hide. Large ones generate clouds and spit mist; small ones hide form and conceal shape... Rising ones fly between the heaven and earth; hiding ones lurk within the waves. At that time, you might be able to deceive the rule restrictions of The Mortal World just like that bastard."
"By then, you will be able to fight him."
"Win, and the biggest opportunity in The Mortal World is yours. After all, a bastard like that, placed in the Immortal Nexus, there shouldn't be a second one either."
"...This disciple understands."
The youth cupped his hands solemnly, then sat down cross-legged directly, holding the jade tablet in his hand, saying with high fighting spirit: "Master, Disciple is going now!"
Translation Note:
His full title is Star Lord Battle-Slaying Clear River (Star Lord Dou Sha Qing He)