"This is constrained by the rules of heaven and earth, not something human strength can easily alter."

"Take the Nanchuan Realm, for example. Its territory is small, and spiritual energy is weak. To produce even a single Divinity Transformation Cultivator is already the limit of its fortune, anything more is a fantasy."

"Therefore, for cultivators from the lower realm who wish to break through the barrier of the Divinity Transformation, or for Divinity Transformation Cultivators to advance further and reach higher peaks, there are only two paths they can take!"

The Nine Nether Elder extended two withered fingers.

"The first is to find ways to enhance the overall fortune of the region they reside in.

"And this second path..."

As the Nine Nether Elder spoke to this point, a chilling cold light suddenly shot out from his ghostly eyes, causing hearts to shudder.

"Is to kill other Divinity Transformation Cultivators!"

"Each time you kill a Divinity Transformation Cultivator, a portion of the immense fortune originally belonging to that part of the world scatters and returns to heaven and earth."

"This is the only way to break through the Divinity Transformation, or for Divinity Transformation Cultivators to advance further!"

"What?"

"Could it... really be like this?!"

Even with Xu Ping’s mind as steadfast as ten-thousand-year-old Profound Ice, upon hearing this shocking secret, his expression changed dramatically, and he inhaled sharply.

The path to Divinity Transformation is indeed so cruel.

Is it the Dark Forest Law?

In that moment, Xu Ping suddenly somewhat understood why the Wind Origin Realm would go to such great lengths to invade the Nanchuan Realm.

Their fundamental aim was likely far from merely plundering resources. On a deeper level, it was probably to compete for, or even strip, the already meager Divinity Transformation fortune of the Nanchuan Realm.

Hoping to cultivate more Divinity Transformation, or to allow existing Divinity Transformation entities to advance further!

After the shock came deep heaviness.

Understanding is one thing, but a more real and severe issue has already been placed before him.

If Xu Ping wants to break through the Divinity Transformation Realm in the future, then... how will he face this cruel struggle for fortune?

Should he try to enhance the fortune of a particular place?

This requires long years and enormous power support, which is extremely difficult for him alone. 𝒻𝘳𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝘯𝘰𝑣ℯ𝑙.𝘤𝑜𝘮

Or... will he have to walk that bloody path of plunder, fighting life-and-death struggles against other Divinity Transformation Cultivators over fortune?

Moreover, even if he fortunately gathers enough fortune to meet the requirement for a breakthrough, how can he ensure that in the critical moment of breakthrough, he won’t become "prey" in the eyes of other coveting Divinity Transformation Cultivators, having his fruits snatched away by others?

His thoughts were chaotically tangled, with thousands of threads and tangles, difficult to untangle at that moment.

Xu Ping’s gaze fell once again on the figure of the Nine Nether Elder.

This sudden revelation to him of such confidential information could never simply be out of goodwill to clear his doubts.

This old monster, who has lived for countless years, studied the ghostly path, and is inscrutable, must have deeper intentions.

"Thank you, Nine Nether Elder, for dispelling my doubts. This matter... is truly shocking."

Xu Ping suppressed the waves in his heart, solemnly clasping his hands, then shifting his tone, looking intently at the Nine Nether Elder, "Yet may I ask why the elder suddenly revealed such secrets to this junior?"

"Does the elder know something about the recent unusual activities of the Star Palace?"

Upon hearing this, the Nine Nether Elder’s thin lips curled slightly again, revealing a smile that seemed neither a smile nor not:

"I observed the Wind Origin Realm’s fortune gathering in the Star Palace. Indeed, it’s the handiwork of those two from the Star Palace, intended to use the fortune of one realm to propel their own cultivation, striving to advance even further beyond their already substantial level."

"Initially, everything proceeded smoothly as the fortune gathered like a tide."

However, for some unknown reason, at the critical moment, an extremely terrifying angry aura suddenly erupted from deep within the Star Palace, shaking the entire place!"

"Clearly, they failed to break through at that threshold."

The ghostly fire flickered once in his deep eye sockets, containing an indescribable mockery.

"From what this elder knows, the Divinity Transformation Cultivator’s breakthrough using fortune is a profoundly mysterious process, and the Dual Saints didn’t face any interference either."

"The only explanation for their failure is that the immense fortune gathered was forcibly taken at the critical moment."

"And afterwards, the Dual Saints immediately ordered the core cultivators of the Star Palace to closely monitor the movements in the outer seas... Heh, the intention is self-evident."

"They suspect that the one who snatched the fortune resides in the outer seas."

"Fortune was taken?"

"A cultivator from the outer seas?"

Upon hearing this, a massive wave surged in Xu Ping’s heart.

At this moment, he couldn’t help but connect it to the breakthrough evolution of the Profound Celestial Embryo at that time.

Is it possible that the Profound Celestial Embryo seized the fortune gathered by the Dual Saints?

The more he thought, the more possible it seemed.

If there’s anything that could seize fortune, then the Profound Celestial Embryo must be one of them.

This... this is ridiculously audacious!

Inwardly, Xu Ping couldn’t help but secretly lament.

What kind of situation is this?

A disaster from the sky!

The Profound Celestial Embryo broke the heavens, yet he is the one to bear the monstrous wrath of two Divinity Transformation existences,

If the Star Palace Saints were definitely to find out it was his doing...

No, even if they merely suspect it is him... then he would surely have no chance of survival.

In the Wind Origin Realm, no escape would be possible!

Fortunate!

Fortunately, it seems the Dual Saints can only vaguely sense the general direction of the fortune’s loss.

And since the outer sea is ruled by the Demon Race and has a complicated situation, they haven’t immediately personally descended for a search but adopted a more cautious surveillance strategy.

Xu Ping rapidly spun his thoughts. Although a massive wave had already risen in his heart, his face showed no sign of it, instead displaying an appropriately shocked and enlightened expression:

"So that’s how it is; that’s the reason. No wonder the Star Palace has been frequent in its actions lately."

Xu Ping seamlessly changed the subject, speaking as if nothing had happened:

"However... with the ability and courage to snatch fortune from the hands of the Dual Saints, looking across the outer seas, it’s likely only that fifth-rank true dragon from the True Dragon Hall who possesses such strength and boldness, right?"

The Nine Nether Elder cast a glance at Xu Ping with a hint of deep meaning, then casually said, "Perhaps."

The tone was calm, neither affirming nor denying.