Chapter 536: Chapter 442: Leaving the Netherworld, Nine Days of Qi Assimilation

Whirling wind howled, the ground constantly receding.

Zhang Kui led a few people swiftly through the air. Although the Chaos Heaven had been damaged, their speed was not slow at all, and in a short time, they had traveled hundreds of thousands of miles away from the Nether Ruins Plain.

Fatty Tiger, while flickering with electric light, looked back with lingering fear, "Taoist, what on earth was that thing?"

Zhang Kui frowned and said, "I’m not sure either. If an Immortal falls, or the corpse changes, or obsession turns into an Immortal Fiend and Divine Resentment, it usually takes some time. Even a Starry Sky Evil God’s fiend does the same. But the Nine Calamities Divine Monarch had just fallen, yet the skeleton already showed such a terrifying mutation—this is the first time I’ve seen this... Have either of you, fellow Taoists, heard of it?"

The two demons from the Spirit Corpse Sect awkwardly shook their heads, "Taoist Friend Zhang, although our sect is skilled in manipulating corpses, this situation is unheard of. Perhaps... it is related to the power of the Nine Calamities Divine Monarch."

Disaster Qi Cultivation Skill...

Zhang Kui contemplated, suddenly recalling the corpse of the Old Realm Master from the Star Beast Divine Nest, which also underwent mutations. Although it’s unknown how much time has passed, if suppression is lost, it will clearly be more terrifying than this Glazed Skeleton.

The Great Path of the world is born from nothingness, transforming from "one" into an infinity. This "one" is Qi, rising and falling, coming together and separating, tangible and intangible, evolving into various forms.

If Spiritual Qi is the essence of all things, then Evil Qi, Vengeful Qi, and Disaster Qi are Heaven and Earth Strange Qi. Though harmful, each can nourish its own laws.

Unfortunately, he has no understanding of the Disaster Qi Cultivation Skill. If he could obtain this technique, perhaps he could find a way to break it.

Suddenly, he felt something and looked towards the direction of the Nether Ruins, a sense of unease arose in his heart.

"Taoist, what’s wrong?"

"Something might have happened over there, let’s go!"

...

The Netherworld Realm is vast and boundless.

This cosmic space, though small, unlike the Main Cosmos, which has countless stars with an endless heaven and earth structure, seemed even more immense.

Two months later, the Heritage Wilderness reappeared before their eyes.

The Divine Mountain of the Dragon Marquis tribe suddenly rose from the vast plain, resplendent divine light illuminating the surrounding, full of spiritual vitality.

There was no movement at the foot of the mountain, but Zhang Kui sensed something might have happened.

After they descended from the air, Tu Shan laughed heartily and walked over with heavy steps, "Brother Zhang Kui, you finally returned. A few days ago, golden light spread from the central area. I guess something major happened over there."

"Indeed, it’s a big deal..."

Zhang Kui didn’t rush to answer but looked around and asked with a slight frown, "What happened here?"

He noticed many of the stone halls had cracks on their surfaces. Many warriors within the tribe were obviously wounded, and the giants of the Dragon Marquis Race had sorrow and desolation in their eyes.

Tu Shan sighed, "After you left, the Fire Sun Race lay low for a few days. We thought the matter would be forgotten, but they actually invited several major tribes from the wilderness."

"They sent envoys, demanding we apologize to the Fire Sun Race unjustly, and to hand over the Divine Mountain Array restoration technique and the Evil Qi Cultivation Skill. Enraged, we fought several battles and drove them out, but I fear there is no room for resolution now."

At this point, Tu Shan looked at the vast wilderness below the mountain, "As fellow Heritage tribes, why can’t they tolerate us?"

Zhang Kui smiled subtly, "It’s not that they can’t tolerate you, but they can’t tolerate a new order-maker!"

Tu Shan was silent, then burst into loud laughter that echoed across the land, mixed with grief and anger, "Fine, since the Heritage can’t tolerate us, we might as well leave. Tu Shan requests Zhang Kui as our leader to take us in!"

Saying this, he turned, cupped his hands and slowly kneeled with his massive body.

Zhang Kui waved his hand to stop him, smiling, "No need for this, Taoist. The Divine Dynasty has its order, and the first rule is no kneeling."

"No kneeling?"

Tu Shan was stunned, a hint of curiosity in his eyes.

Ultimately, the ancient Dragon Marquis Heritage decided to collectively join the Kaiyuan Divine Dynasty.

These Three-Eyed Giants were incredibly talented and exceptionally skilled in cultivating Spirit Valley. To the Divine Dynasty with vast Spirit Mountains and a perpetual shortage of population, they were a great addition.

Of course, the Dragon Marquis clan and the surrounding small tribes that joined together numbered over ten thousand, but their difficult birthrate ensured they wouldn’t threaten the main body of the Human Race.

Emptying warehouses, harvesting Spirit Valley, packing belongings... several days later, the earth trembled as the long queue of giants followed Zhang Kui and departed from the Netherworld Realm.

Looking at the cosmic rift that had been opened, some looked back at their homeland with reluctance, some were curious, some were apprehensive.

In any case, the new world had reopened its doors to this ancient race.

Several days later, the wilderness was filled with rolling Evil Qi, the earth shook as mighty troops of Heritage tribes came from all directions, heavily surrounding the Dragon Marquis’ Divine Mountain, yet what faced them was just an abandoned mountain range...

...

Celestial Essence Star Zone, starships shuttle back and forth.

For the people of the Divine Dynasty, the most bustling event during this period is the arrival of a group of Three-Eyed Giants.

These giants, each towering over a hundred meters tall, possess terrifying physical strength. Even the children are stronger than the Demon Race known for honing their bloodline and physique.

The Divine Path Network, Divine Path Dream Realm, Merit System... numerous unprecedented wonders open the eyes of the Dragon Marquis Race, and the Profound Pavilion specially refines armor and unique starships for them.

Feeling the warmth of the Divine Dynasty’s people, the initial unease of these giants quickly dissipates, and they soon adapt to life in the Star Realm. Some enter the vast lower Spirit Mountains and cultivate thousands of hectares of Spirit Field in a day, while others join the Divine Dynasty Fleet, becoming the most fearsome Giant Spirit Warriors in the Star Sea...

Of course, these matters are all arranged by the Divine Dynasty Council. Zhang Kui, upon his return, immediately goes to the peak of Kunlun Mountain, announcing his retreat for cultivation.

...

At the summit of Kunlun Mountain, auspicious clouds roll, spiritual springs spread across the land, and exotic flowers and grasses bloom, becoming increasingly spiritual and divine.

Zhang Kui, in a loose robe, sits cross-legged under the ancient pine with dragon scales, overlooking the rotation of the stars across the heavens and the thriving of all things, exuding an air of leisurely immortality.

"The Blood God Sect has organized several attacks, but thanks to the numerous Celestial Pride Teams, they have been repelled. Now the Ancient Starry Sky Route is completely secure..."

"The reputation of the Celestial Essence Mall has spread throughout the entire Star Realm. Although the Desolate Ancient Battlefield acts as a barrier, it has still attracted many wandering races, who choose to settle outside the mall’s star reef..."

"The Divine Path Dream Realm organized a Divine Dynasty Martial Arts Tournament, and countless young genius cultivators have emerged..."

By his side, the Tai Shi Golden Body hovers in mid-air, reporting to Zhang Kui on the recent operations of the Divine Dynasty.

Zhang Kui listens with great satisfaction. What pleases him most is that, during his distant journey to the Netherworld Realm, the Divine Dynasty has been able to make wise decisions on its own, resolving the Blood God Sect invasion crisis and even establishing a foothold in the Desolate Ancient Battlefield.

This is the reason he feels able to retreat for cultivation without worries.

Finally, Tai Shi reminds, "Sect Leader, now two Innate Divine Spirits have matured, just waiting for you to hold a God Enshrinement Ceremony."

Zhang Kui nods, his eyes radiating divine light, looking toward the belly of Kunlun Mountain.

There, two gigantic balls of light exude a majestic blaze, one stable and heavy, the other profound and lofty, both embodying extraordinary majesty and immense divine power.

One is the Kunlun Mountain God, who will command the Spirit Mountains of the Celestial Essence Star Realm in the future, and the other is the Reincarnation Spirit, who will oversee matters of reincarnation.

Although the Human Race Divine Path is now increasingly powerful, it is still far from sufficient. With these two Innate Divine Spirits, the entire Divine Court will become more complete.

"Very well, hold the God Enshrinement Ceremony after my retreat," he says.

"As you command, Sect Leader," Tai Shi replies with a nod and swiftly disappears.

Zhang Kui pauses for a moment, gazing towards the direction of Thundercloud Star.

This time’s journey to the Netherworld Realm was partly to collect Disaster Beast bones, for which the Dragon Marquis Race prepared a considerable amount, sufficient for a long time. But more importantly, it was to find the root of the Star Beast Divine Nest to suppress the mutant corpse.

This goal is also considered achieved, finding out that it was the corpse of the previous Realm Master, a Starry Sky Dominator level being from the main cosmos, who died in war in the Netherworld Realm.

The solution has also become apparent, which is to refine the mutated bones of the Nine Calamities Divine Monarch who also cultivated the Disaster Qi Technique. By sealing and refining it into an Immortal Artifact, it can suppress that mutated corpse.

However, although the seven-colored glazed skeleton can be restrained by the Immortal King Tower, its Spatial Divine Power allows it to escape at will, and there’s no capability to refine it even once it’s inside the tower.

Ultimately, it boils down to his insufficient Tao Cultivation. Previously, he could leverage Immortal Secret Techniques to gain advantage, but now it has become a fatal weakness.

Upon realizing this, Zhang Kui waves his hand, causing the brilliant Immortal King Tower to emerge with a roar, hovering above the summit of Kunlun Mountain, its divine light illuminating all directions.

Zhang Kui’s figure flashes, already arriving at the core hall inside the Immortal King Tower, surrounded by ancient stone walls filled with an eternal aura.

His expression is calm as he looks around and swiftly forms a spell with his hands.

Buzz!

The entire hall shakes violently, and within the Dark Void of the tower’s body, countless suppressed heritage demon corpses and Disaster Beast evil spirits seem to be crushed by the void, transforming into paths of light and flame that vanish.

Meanwhile, the spatial domain around the hall undergoes changes, with gray mist swirling and the flow of time inside and outside altering rapidly.

This is the newly explored function of the Immortal King Tower, allowing the burning of suppressed objects to alter the flow of time inside and outside. In other words, if Zhang Kui cultivates here for ten years, only one year will pass outside.

However, even this is not enough, as those old monsters have been cultivating for tens of thousands of years, requiring even faster methods.

Reflecting on this, Zhang Kui burns the Golden Light of the Celestial Gang Skill, countless laws and insights into the Heavenly Dao pouring into his mind, forming an Immortal Skill that should have long been learned.

Nine Breaths Qi Cultivation: Innate Qi Nourishing Yuan Skill, Qi Absorption Skill.