Forty Millenniums of Cultivation

All the scraps of the stars nearby were attracted by Li Yao’s vitality. They were even dyed into colorful rainbows by him. They interweaved and tangled with each other like colorful streams and formed a magnificent lotus platform below Li Yao’s feet. Li Yao’s face was solemn, too. He looked more like a sage than Master Bitter Cicada, who had come from the ancient sacred world.

Li Yao sat cross-legged on the lotus platform and looked at everyone with a smile. There was indescribable tranquility and mystery in his eyes. All the experts knew that the expert in the Soul Division Stage was going to share his experience in training with them. It was an opportunity that could not be bought with money. They held their breath and listened attentively, not even daring to drop a drop of sweat.

Long Yangjun was the only one who held his forehead. He thought for a moment and was rendered speechless.

“In fact, as you all know, after you reach the peak of the Nascent Soul Stage, you will almost reach the limits of the strength and speed of the human body. Therefore, in regard to combat ability, there is no unbridgeable gap between the peak of the Nascent Soul Stage and the Divinity Transformation Stage.

Li Yao’s voice was transmitted to the auditory nerves of every expert with the help of invisible waves. “The limits we are talking about here are not just the limits of human beings but also the limits of the Pangu Clan, the Nuwa Clan, and even all the carbon-based intelligent creatures.

“The reason is simple. Although the growing environment of carbon-based intelligent life and the origin of civilization are different, every element that constitutes our flesh and blood-carbon, iron, oxygen, and so on-are of the same nature.

“It is decided then that carbon-based intelligent life is unlikely to be born on planets whose environments are too harsh and whose parameters are too extreme, such as cold planets that are too far away from the stars and live in -100°C year-round, desolate planets that have no atmosphere and are plagued by meteoroids year-round, or unstable planets where the stars have entered the senile stage and are ready for supernovas at any moment.

“The socialized, intelligent carbon-based creatures that can create a civilization can only be born on the planets that are similar to us in terms of standard gravity, standard atmosphere, and standard air. Even if there are some exceptions, such as the scorching planets where the Houyi Clan was born, the difference will not be huge.

SOI

“It is decided then that our limits are their limits, the limits of the Pangu Civilization and all the carbon-based intelligent creatures in the Pangu Universe, the limits of Pangu, Nuwa, Houyi, Kuafu, Gonggong, Zhurong, and so on.

“Moreover, I dare to say that, although the prehistoric species may boast techniques beyond the grasp of human beings in certain fields, considering all the fields from the perspective of universality and energy consumption ratio, human beings have evolved into the most perfect form of carbon-based intelligent life. Not only are we perfect in the Pangu Universe, we are perfect even in the multiverse. It is also the reason why the carbon-based intelligent life in the magical universe adopted the ‘human form’ as their fundamental form.

“What I’m trying to say is that I hope that you will not underestimate yourselves or be intimidated by the fame of the Pangu Clan. I can promise you solemnly that, even if the Pangu Clan inside the ancient tomb is resurrected, their combat ability will not be much higher than ours, at least not to the extent of a world of difference.

Li Yao’s declaration was so resolute that it seemed to have blown the horn of glory in everyone’s heart.

No one had expected that he would say such a thing. But when they realized that it was the final conclusion of the division of the strongest Cultivators, they were more or less convinced and emboldened.

“But-“

Li Yao changed the topic and said solemnly, “After we break into the Divinity Transformation Stage or even the Dividing Soul Stage, the importance of the physical body and the material world will gradually diminish. The importance of the field of will and the mental power will gradually increase. Or rather, the intelligent creatures who call themselves the best of all creatures must learn to see through the truth that binds our body of flesh and blood and even the material world to pursue the truth of a higher level.

“You all think that I cast an illusion just now and dragged you into an illusion space, but can you really tell what is an illusion, what is a virtual illusion space, and what is the real universe?

“You think that you are living in the real universe and that every cell that constitutes your body is real. It is perfectly justified and unquestionable. Such an understanding gives you a great sense of security, but it is also a barrier that limits your potential.

“Cells, what are cells, molecules, molecules, atoms, and atoms? What is there to divide atoms other than energy? Nothing! Then, here comes the question. Since the tiniest atoms that make up our bodies are transformed from energy, why can’t the illusionary space that I created by interfering with your vision, hearing, and thinking cells with my mental power be a reality?

“Of course, I haven’t been in the Soul Division for long, and I don’t have the ability to maintain the illusionary space inside your brain for a long time. But if there is someone thousands of times stronger than me who can extend the duration of the mental attack to the point that you will be trapped in the illusionary space for the rest of your life, is such an attack an illusion or reality?”

Everybody was confused by Li Yao’s mysterious words and did not understand what he meant.

“Please consider the question carefully. What I’m trying to say is that dozens of Divinity Transformation Stage Cultivators and almost a hundred Nascent Soul Stage Cultivators with Giant God Soldiers are participating in our operation to explore the Mausoleum of the Ancients. It is the largest adventure team in the history of human civilization with the highest average combat ability. I’m not worried that you will encounter material attacks. Even if you do, no one will be able to stop us as long as we are united!

Li Yao said, “However, it’s hard to say when it comes to mental attacks. After all, our team is not very cohesive. There are quite a few gaps between us and we have our own plans.

“Be careful! Be very careful! Whether it is Lu Qingchen, the Pangu Clan, or the Flood Tide Legion, it is very likely that they are all weird existences who are adept at mental attacks. One moment of carelessness, and you will fall into their trap. You will be swallowed by your own desires and the weakness of your humanity, and you will become their pawns and puppets!

“In the Cultivation system of the ancient Cultivation world, the last barrier before the Cultivation of True Fruit is known as the ‘Void Enlightenment Stage’. I believe that the Void Enlightenment Stage is the stage where one can distinguish the truth and falsehood of everything around them. One can even distinguish the truth and falsehood of one’s own desires, get rid of the unnecessary illusions, and cultivate the most authentic side of oneself. Only in such a way can one be free from the temptations and troubles of the outside world. One can be as immovable as a mountain and persist in moving forward.

“It is like a chess piece on a chess board. If you are obsessed with the chess board and train yourself to be stronger at any cost, you will only be the ‘strongest chess piece’ in the end. You will be bound by the rules of the chess game. Only by knowing the truth about yourself and jumping out of the chess board can you see, understand, and cultivate to a higher level, a higher dimension, and a more mysterious and boundless power!

“The road of evolution has come to an end. There is no road ahead.

“Let’s hope that we can find the wings of the soul and soar beyond the limits of evolution in the adventure of the Mausoleum of Ancient Gods!”

On the third day after the training, all the preparations had been completed.

The experts who had been injured and exhausted during the training had recovered to their peak state with the nourishment of Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures and strengthening drugs.

Their crystal suits and Giant Soldiers had undergone the final modification and security checks, too. On average, each of them was carrying three to four crystal suits, as well as countless crystals and ammunitions. They were all wearing Cosmos Rings that were more than enough for a space jump. The names of the assistants from various universities and research centers had been carefully selected, too. In the end, they were all the top experts in archeology, history, biology, runology, medicine, and so on. Many of them were old men with white hair and a ruddy complexion. They had high prestige in the circle and had disciples all over the world.

For such authoritative experts, it was naturally impossible to force them to take part in the risky adventure. Therefore, they were only invited to the Seven Seas Space Zone as ‘advisers’ for a period of closed training and guidance. It was not until the last moment that the truth of the ‘Emperor Tomb-God’s Tomb

– Black Tomb’ was revealed to them. They were told that the adventure was extremely dangerous and that they would not be forced to join it if they were unwilling. However, due to confidentiality issues, they had to stay in the training base of the Seven Seas Space Zone for a while longer and could not return to their hometown until the adventure team returned.

As he expected, almost no authoritative expert was willing to give up such a great opportunity.

Ancient Tomb of the Supreme Emperor! Ancient Tomb! Black Tomb!

The Supreme Emperor! The Pangu Clan! The maker of the black wall!

For any expert, such an unprecedented secret was right in front of their eyes. It was indeed something worth exploring and studying at the risk of their own life.

The construction of the team of specialists went very smoothly. The selection and establishment of the coalition fleet was not a problem, either. Considering the complicated environment near the ancient tomb, which was as harsh as a space hell, it was impossible to summon a large-scale expedition army. In the end, a special squad made of almost a hundred fast attack starships, seven comprehensive supply starships, and two research starships was formed.

All the starships had been further strengthened to ensure their anti-radiation, anti-high-energy particle streams, anti-strong magnetic field interference, and anti-meteoroid attacks.

In the meantime, Li Linghai launched a lot of new probe magical equipment to his destination and collected countless local astronomical parameters to infer the changes of the environment near the entrance of the ancient tomb.

The situation was not optimistic.