【Upgrade Task 1·Completed】

  【Path of Taikyoku: 1/5】

  The Taiji energy hovered in Mei's palm. A green lotus platform silently manifested, exuding an almost supreme world aura, instantly terrifying Immeasurable and the others.

  "Path of Taikyoku?"

  It was truly impossible not to be shocked.

  Currently, Immeasurable and the others only knew the path of Taikyoku through merit. They had never imagined seeing another Path of Taikyoku here.

  Spirit Void's sword intent surged even more, his clothes fluttering without wind.

  "Another Path of Taikyoku."

  Unfortunately,

  This seemed to be Boundless's personal route to Taikyoku. He naturally understood its power; this was a path to Taikyoku that didn't require merit.

  Though not yet Taikyoku,

  Spirit Void could already picture the situation after achieving Taikyoku through merit: one would undoubtedly have to uphold the world's balance, sharing in its glory and shame.

  An immense constraint.

  Boundless was different.

  Her path to Taikyoku did not rely on world merit; merit was inconsequential to her. Once she achieved Taikyoku through this path, she would be completely unrestrained within the world.

  Transcendent and free.

  This world simply couldn't confine her.

  Merit-based Taikyoku was bound, while Boundless was unconstrained—this was the greatest divergence. As the Age of Decline approached, this distinction would become even more terrifying.

  At the dawn of the world, this wasn't obvious, but during the Calamity of Decline, when merit-based Taikyoku couldn't manifest, even immortals would struggle to protect themselves. Who could stop such a free and transcendent Taikyoku?

  Realizing this, the fellow Daoists were all astonished. This fellow Daoist was truly a being capable of transcending the world!

  Thinking of this,

  They couldn't help but show deep reverence.

  This individual must not be provoked!

  Hum—

  World aura cleansed the space.

  The Taiji energy in Mei's hand settled onto the green lotus platform, transforming into a blooming lotus petal. The lotus platform floated briefly, then vanished without a trace.

  Bang!

  The Cloud Water Sword's aura retracted, condensing into a streak of light that disappeared into Mei's sleeve. Wheel said with admiration, "Boundless, your skill is truly profound!"

  "Thank you."

  After the Taiji energy landed in Mei's hand, everyone clearly saw they had no means to contend for it. After all, they might not even be Mei's match when combined.

  Just that Cloud Water Sword aura had successfully deterred all five of them. Boundless's own cultivation must be even more unfathomable. Why waste such effort contesting it?

  Immeasurable stroked his long beard.

  "Heavenly treasures belong to those with destiny."

  The ethereal Azure said nothing, vanishing instantly. Spirit Void, however, found Mei intriguing and spoke: "Boundless, if the opportunity arises, I must seek your guidance."

  "Alright."

  With that,

  Mei waved her hand, and from the Ancient Vine tree, that round white object was plucked. It was a smooth, large egg, pulsating with vibrant life.

  Then, her figure vanished in an instant.

  Violet Firmament exclaimed in awe.

  "This person will undoubtedly achieve Taikyoku!"

  Searching the entire world, one would likely not find another such individual. Her divine methods were unfathomable, her magical artifacts astonishingly powerful. Who could possibly compare?

  Violet Firmament couldn't help but form a clear thought.

  "I wonder if I can become this person's disciple?"

  As the saying goes, a successful master begets a successful student.

  He was truly in awe of Mei's power and cultivation level.

  This matter.

  The issue of merit-based Taikyoku could no longer be postponed. The number of Taikyoku in the world was likely finite. If they didn't seize this chance now, they might lose the opportunity entirely.

  Streaks of divine light flashed by in an instant.

  Mei arrived at a misty mountain range. With a flick of her sleeve, pavilions, towers, and palaces emerged amidst the cloud-shrouded peaks, connected in an unbroken expanse.

  Boundless radiance descended from the nine heavens, illuminating the structures. Golden springs surged from the earth, green lotuses swayed, and all manner of auspicious signs transformed this location into an ethereal immortal realm.

  A stone stairway, so long its end was out of sight, wound through the mountains, reaching beyond the entire range. To ascend these steps meant commencing the path of cultivation.

  At the mountain gate,

  A simple, unadorned colossal stone stood, bearing characters.

  Boundless Palace!

  The Hyperdimensional Space's first Advancement Mission required Mei to join a sect. In that case, Mei might as well establish her own foundation.

  She nodded.

  "That should be about right."

  As expected.

  【Advancement Mission · Phase One · Completed】

  【Points Acquired: 2500】

  【Remaining Points: 1,370,100】

  ...

  【Advancement Mission · Phase Two: This world is perilous. Either act independently or rely on your sect. Subdue or kill a Great Yao that is harming a region.】

  【Mission Reward: 8000 Points】

  ...

  The required background for the Advancement Mission was set in the distant future. Unlike the current era, a Great Yao at that time would possess at least Tier 6-7 strength.

  In the future,

  The type of entity that could be termed a regional Great Yao was unpredictable. Some might possess potent backing, some might wield extraordinary divine powers, while others might only be capable of bullying mortals.

  This phase of the Advancement Mission depended entirely on the Void Wanderer's luck. Encountering a soft target would be simple; bad luck meant risking one's life.

  Considering this was an Advancement Mission, those Great Yaos should all possess at least Tier 2 capabilities. In this world, Tier 2 was essentially cannon fodder.

  Temporarily ignoring the parameters of Phase Two of the mission.

  Mei descended into the palace within the mountain range, sitting on a meditation cushion. She retrieved the egg from her sleeve, and a distinct cracking sound emanated from it.

  "Chirp!"

  A dazzling ray of light burst forth, flitting around the palace. A clear, sharp cry echoed, filled with the chilling energy of a blade.

  An object appeared in Mei's hand, which she cast into the light. The bird, sensing danger, attempted to flee, but the object directly burrowed into its belly.

  ——

  【Item: Tyrant's Heart】

  【Type: Item】

  【Grade: Tier 3】

  【Description: This chunk of flesh carries the consciousness of a tyrant. As long as a living creature swallows it, the tyrant's consciousness can seize its body and revive.】

  ——

  This cursed creature, though not an Innate being, possessed a magnificent destiny. Born from the Ancient Vine tree, it was imbued with a trace of Taiji energy, overflowing with Innate vitality, and boasting immense divine capabilities.

  Ordinary Innate beings could not compare. It was born already possessing Tier 7 cultivation. Had Mei not intervened, the tyrant would never have gained control of this body.

  After all,

  The Tyrant's Heart was only Tier 3.

  Bang!

  Upon swallowing the Tyrant's Heart, the light flickering around it suddenly fractured, revealing a majestic, fiercely domineering figure. Its blue plumage shimmered with unparalleled brilliance.

  It possessed the head of a bird upon a human torso. Its lower half remained a pair of sharp talons, from which gleamed a keen golden energy—the chilling essence of a blade. In its hand, it grasped a golden spear forged entirely from a single feather.

  This was the very first Peacock in this world!

  The Peacock, holding its spear, knelt in profound gratitude.

  "Thank you, Honored One, for the grace of rebirth!"

  Mei nodded.

  "From this day forward, all past ties are severed. As the first Peacock in this world, you are now bound to my command. Your designation is Zonhi."

  "Disciple obeys!"

  Zonhi became a devoted follower of the Boundless Palace.

  ...

  The earliest entities to manifest after the world's dawn were termed Innate beings. Flora, fauna, and other objects that achieved sentience through enlightenment were designated as monster spirits.

  Although the overwhelming majority of Innate beings were favored by the world, boasting formidable inherent cultivation and divine powers, this was not an absolute rule. There existed exceedingly weak Innate beings.

  And conversely, there were Acquired beings who possessed extraordinarily potent cultivation and divine capabilities.

  The Peacock was an Acquired being, yet its cultivation and divine powers were exceptionally formidable. Not to mention its Innate divine powers, even its cultivation level alone could not be easily countered by ordinary adversaries.

  It was perhaps only second to Immeasurable and Spirit Void.

  The inhabitants of this world paid little heed to the distinction between Innate and Acquired. Compared to that classification, the kinship shared between different races represented a far clearer boundary.

  Regardless of whether they were Innate or Acquired, as long as it was a bird, beast, plant, or a sentient mountain-river gem, it was classified as a Yao. This was because the origins of this race were largely intertwined.

  Naturally, they drew closer to each other.

  And consequently, they began to isolate other races.

  Within the world,

  The Yao race expanded rapidly, establishing a formidable presence. Powerful Great Yaos, wielding immense divine powers, began to emerge, stirring up tremendous storms and shifts in the world's balance.

  【Record of the Bizarre: Mountain Fowl】

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  【Fragment: In the great northern wilderness, there resides a mountain named Dam. Upon it dwells a colossal bird named Canang, whose wingspan can cover ninety thousand li of the sky. It preys on dragons and snakes; its feathers resemble grains of sand, and it is intensely ferocious.】

  【Record of the Bizarre: Mountain Beast】

  【Fragment: In the vast wilderness, there is a strange entity called Prismang, possessing immense divine power, resembling a black ox, with three heads and six legs; its body supports the heavens and tramples the earth. Its nature is fiercely brutal, often crushing mountains and demolishing peaks.】

  ...

  In the remote wilderness mountains,

  An elder clad in animal hides and vegetation meticulously inscribed his observations of the great wilderness onto a wooden tablet. His face was deeply lined with the vicissitudes of time, appearing as simple as a common mortal.

  After carving the characters,

  The old man stooped to gather firewood and began his descent from the mountain.

  At this juncture,

  Humanity had not yet come into being.

  "What a peculiar individual. I wonder which sage he will evolve into in the future?"

  "Why concern ourselves with him? Just ensure we do not provoke him."

  In the mountains,

  Two figures materialized.

  One possessed an aquiline nose, sharp, golden-red eyes like honed blades, and wore a silver crown adorned with brown feathers. His attire was formal, yet he exuded a fierce, crazed, bloodthirsty aura.

  This was Canang.

  The other was immensely robust, covered in dense muscle, speaking in a guttural voice. His entire physique resembled a walking mountain, heavy and tyrannical in presence.

  This was Prismang.

  Canang surveyed the great wilderness. The vastness of the world held significant potential, and he couldn't help but reveal a satisfied expression, though his smile inherently appeared sinister. "This world is truly suited for entities such as us. I wonder what caliber of opponents Hyperdimensional Space has dispatched this time."

  Prismang grunted.

  "We will ascertain that when we encounter them."

  Old rivals.

  Canang and Prismang both hailed from Transcendent Space. Their skills were top-tier even within that grand wilderness, but they were uncertain if Transcendent Space had dispatched only the two of them.

  Clearly,

  This Advancement Mission world was segmented into two distinct battlegrounds: one designated for the Void Wanderers' advancement trial, and the other for the spatial hunt commencing from the great wilderness.

  Hunting Void Wanderers yielded significantly higher point rewards than standard mission completions. The higher the target's level, the greater the points. Despite the inherent danger, it was a rare and coveted opportunity.

  Both Void Wanderers and Transcendents were keen to hunt rival space-travelers. Compared to that, as Canang noted, this specific world held profound promise.

  "The opportunity for Taikyoku is upon us!"

  Canang's eyes burned with fervent zeal.

  With no Taikyoku yet having emerged in this world, they might actually have a chance. If they could successfully ascend to the position of Taikyoku, the dangerous venture of hunting Void Wanderers could be cast aside entirely.

  Seize the moment!

  Prismang also grew noticeably excited.

  "We must not let anyone advance ahead of us!"

  "Let us go spread enlightenment and contend for that fortune and merit. This world requires us Taikyoku as its foundational architects!"

  With that declaration,

  A sharp avian cry echoed across the sky. Canang revealed his true form; his wings stretched ninety thousand li, churning up winds and clouds, shaking the very earth. Prismang's six legs galloped furiously.

  Heading first towards the Yao race.

  First step: Secure a dominant position!

  At this very time,

  All beings possessing great divine power were actively pursuing the path of merit-based Taikyoku, establishing their own factions and enlightening the myriad sentient beings of the world, all in pursuit of accumulating vast merit to ascend to the Taikyoku echelon.

  Firstly,

  Immeasurable established a sect in the great wilderness called Muryō, aiming to enlighten all beings, imparting the profound mysteries of the Great Dao of cultivation: what constitutes essence, qi, and spirit; what forms the Three Flowers and Five Qis.

  Spirit Void established a sect called Evasion of Unity, intending to locate that one who escaped. Under Calamity, all beings would turn to ash. Only by finding that specific entity could there be a glimmer of hope.

  These two possessed the highest cultivation levels and the most formidable divine powers. Once their two sects were founded, those struggling without a path to cultivation flocked to join, desperately seeking methods of practice.

  Dispelling ignorance.

  Clearing the mind.

  By teaching and transforming, the world gained order. This translated to great merit. Immeasurable Daoist and Spirit Void, benefiting from the world's merit, saw their cultivation advance rapidly, becoming increasingly unfathomable.

  Immeasurable imparted the profound mysteries of the Dao, while Spirit Void continued the search for the Evasion of Unity. Wheel, no matter how deeply he pondered, couldn't formulate a core doctrine to establish a sect, yet time waited for no one.

  "Let's just name it the Western Sect!"

  Thus,

  Wheel established a sect in the western expanse of the great wilderness, naming it Western. He then pondered deeply, finally conceiving a promising doctrine. He immediately swore an oath and propagated his teaching.

  "All sentient beings suffer. Evil karma cycles ceaselessly, and sins accumulate across myriad generations. I vow to personally bear the sins of sentient beings for myriad generations, to aid the world in achieving clarity. As long as my Western Sect has not cleansed these myriad generations of sins, it cannot cease..."

  Dispelling ignorance.

  Clearing the mind.

  By teaching and transforming, the world gained order. This generated immense merit. Immeasurable and Spirit Void, benefiting from the world's merit, saw their cultivation advance rapidly, becoming increasingly unfathomable.

  Immeasurable imparted the profound mysteries of the Dao, while Spirit Void searched for the escaped element. Wheel, no matter how much he thought, couldn't find a core doctrine to establish a sect, but time waited for no one.

  "Let's just name it the Western Sect!"

  Thus,

  Wheel established a sect in the western part of the great wilderness, naming it Western. Then, he pondered deeply, finally coming up with a promising path. He immediately swore an oath and propagated his doctrine.

  "All sentient beings suffer. Evil karma cycles ceaselessly, and sins continue for myriad generations. I vow to bear the sins of sentient beings for myriad generations, to aid the world in its clarity. As long as my Western Sect has not cleansed these myriad generations of sins, it cannot cease..."

  Wheel's methodology was a shortcut no one else had conceived. Everyone understood that creating evil karma would incur sin, yet no one considered engineering the world to owe one's own merit.

  The Western Sect took on the sins of sentient beings for myriad generations, meaning the world's sentient beings naturally owed the Western Sect merit for myriad generations. In this way, this merit, though not yet realized, had already been reserved by Wheel.

  He, too, was one of the fated Taikyoku!

  However, for one to make such a grand vow, their resolve, nature, and enlightenment commanded deep admiration. These "myriad generations" did not refer to a specific, quantifiable time, but rather an abstract, endless concept.

  No one knew how long it would take for the Western Sect to purify the sins of the sentient beings across those myriad generations.

  Regardless of the timeline,

  Wheel was already recognized as a fated Taikyoku.

  At this moment, merit descended from the heavens; the world acknowledged his grand vow. With this vow and doctrine, all manner of beings flocked to him, eager to join the Western Sect.

  The Western Sect was a fated Taikyoku sect. Joining it now would undoubtedly secure a supreme, heavenly foundation. They sought not a mere glimmer of hope amidst future Calamities, but a direct path to cultivation.

  Thus,

  Three sects coexisted in the great wilderness.

  Other individuals possessing great divine powers also established their own factions, yet they could hardly compare to these three. While perhaps not exactly "setting nets to catch birds at their doors," they certainly possessed no hope of achieving Taikyoku status.

  Compared to these three dominant sects,

  Mei's Boundless Palace was somewhat obscure. Mei had not established a formal sect; she had merely opened a mountain gate. These two concepts differed significantly in scope.

  Outside Boundless Palace,

  Various Yao spirits and monstrous beings arrived from all directions, ascending the stone steps of the mountain path. The further they ventured into the mountains, the sparser the population became, though countless still sought immortality and the Dao.

  Those who successfully entered Boundless Palace could be counted on the fingers of one hand.

  Mei, not pursuing merit-based Taikyoku, naturally did not need to widely recruit disciples for universal enlightenment. In fact, Immeasurable's sect, Evasion of Unity, and the Western Sect were not open to just anyone either.

  However, compared to those three, Boundless Palace maintained an even higher entry threshold. It was so exclusive that while many sought discipleship outside the mountain gate, only a select few managed to successfully ascend the stone steps.

  Excluding Zonhi,

  Since the establishment of the sect, only three individuals had successfully joined Boundless Palace, becoming Mei's disciples. All three were individuals of profound inherent blessing and exceptional, undeniable talent.

  "Talent" could refer to comprehension, character, or Innate bloodline divine powers, or some unique quality, among many other things.

  Only one type of person could not join Boundless Palace:

  The great evildoer.

  The extremely ferocious could join.

  The utterly mad could enter.

  But the truly evil could not.

  Ferocity and madness were temperaments; evil was karmic sin. The ferocious and the mad might not necessarily accumulate karmic debt, but the truly evil were certainly burdened by it. If such individuals acquired significant skill, it would manifest as a great calamity.

  Mei had few requirements for her disciples but did not wish for Boundless Palace to become a place of murky air and ill influences.

  Golden light illuminated the earth.

  Dong—

  The morning bell echoed through the mountains.

  Amidst the swirling mists, pavilions and towers could be faintly discerned deep within the mountains. Auspicious immortal light, resembling a rainbow, adorned the mountain range, appearing and then vanishing. Those seeking the Dao were numerous, walking in small groups along the arduous mountain path.

  This mountain path and stone stairway tested both one's fortune and talent. Those lacking either would find their steps growing heavier and heavier, moving as if towards an endless horizon.

  "Boundless Palace."

  Outside the mountain gate,

  A great bird flew to this location, its wings spanning an unknown distance—tens of thousands of li—creating a scene that momentarily obscured the sun and moon. When it landed, the great bird transformed into an arrogant human figure.

  This Yao was named Ciahe.

  He was an Innate being, born with profound divine powers and cultivation. His nature was both mad and ferocious. Having been born near the place where the sun first rose and having swallowed a wisp of the sun's golden essence, he claimed he could incinerate anything.

  After the Yao race achieved prominence, he naturally ascended to become a Great Yao among them. This time, having heard that the three major sects were widely recruiting disciples, he came to personally assess how formidable these three sects truly were.

  How capable were those three sect leaders to dare enlighten the world?

  Before reaching the three sects,

  He encountered this Boundless Palace.

  Boundless?

  What audacious terminology!

  Ciahe was naturally arrogant and contemptuous, never showing respect to anyone. He was ferociously mad: "The one who established this mountain gate is far more arrogant than I. Let me witness his capability!"

  With that,

  He prepared to forcefully charge the mountain gate.

  "Don't!"

  Those gathered outside were instantly alarmed.

  An old man hurriedly advised, "Fellow Daoist, Boundless Palace, while perhaps not widely famous, is not significantly inferior to the three main sects. For several consecutive days, many have attempted to forcefully enter the mountain gate, and none have met a good end. Do not risk your own life!"

  "Hmph!"

  Ciahe revealed his true form and charged straight for the mountain gate, opening his mouth to spew the Fire of the Solar Golden Essence, staining the entire clear sky a fiery, translucent red, baking the onlookers on the ground until they groaned incessantly.

  "Then I must witness it all the more!"

  Being inherently fearless, Ciahe, relying on his cultivation and divine powers, paid no mind to even the three great sects. How could he possibly fear Boundless Palace?

  "Watch me reduce this place to ashes with a single flame!"

  Ciahe spoke arrogantly.

  "Vile beast! How dare you behave so wildly here!"

  A resounding shout echoed in his ears.

  Ciahe was suddenly startled.

  Before the Fire of the Solar Golden Essence could be fully expelled from his mouth, a brilliant white light flooded his vision, and a spear pierced straight through his chest.

  Whoosh!

  Among the Five Elements, the Geng Metal energy was the most lethal and incredibly swift. Ciahe didn't even register what had transpired before he was struck down by this divine method.

  A streak of divine light flashed from within Boundless Palace into mid-air. Its golden-red eyes were exceedingly sharp, its majesty even more dominant. It was, naturally, Zonhi.

  Zonhi waved his hand, and the Sparrlume Spear immediately returned to him. Then he unleashed a streak of crimson light, instantly incinerating Ciahe's Yao body.

  He reached out to observe.

  The wisp of Solar Golden Essence within Ciahe's body was seized by Zonhi. His junior disciple, Destiny, excelled in the path of artifact forging, and this Solar Golden Essence was a top-grade material.

  Zonhi spoke no further, merely casting an indifferent glance at the many seekers outside the mountain gate before descending once more into the palace within the mountains.

  "Sigh."

  The old man outside the mountain gate let out a heavy sigh. "I told them not to charge in."

  They had recently learned that this Peacock was the first disciple under Honored Boundless, possessing extremely high divine powers and cultivation. Even a Great Yao couldn't withstand many moves from him.

  His temperament was said to be extremely fierce.

  With such formidable disciples, Honored Boundless himself was even more powerful, hence the old man's remark that Boundless Palace was probably not much inferior to the three sects.

  Most importantly,

  Boundless Palace had very few disciples.

  Any one of the three sects commanded countless disciples, and only a scattered few were truly favored by their sect leaders. Boundless Palace was different; anyone who successfully entered the sect...

  Could receive personal guidance and divine teachings from the Honored One himself.

  The weight of the master-disciple relationship in these two contexts differed vastly.

  ...

  In the mountains,

  A man dressed in a Daoist robe, with a benevolent appearance and a plump face, not to mention a round belly, stood with his hands clasped behind his back, gazing at the suspicious happenings outside the mountain.

  He smiled benignly. "Senior Brother's divine methods are truly formidable. With the Five Elements complete, only Master can keep him in check among us."

  "What is it?"

  A girl beside him saw through her senior brother's thoughts. "Does Senior Brother Destiny also wish to forge such a magical artifact? Although Junior Sister doesn't understand artifact forging, I know that magical artifacts with such divine power are extraordinary."

  "Haha, how will I know without attempting it?"

  Unlike the Innate beings in this world, Mei, possessing All Concepts, found all divine methods and Daoist cultivation techniques effortlessly at her fingertips.

  She was versed in myriad laws.

  Targeting the different aptitudes of her disciples, she imparted different methods. Zonhi, possessing Innate divine powers, needed no other techniques.

  Destiny was the second disciple of Boundless Palace. His profound blessings were unimaginable, and he was a natural treasure hunter. Mei taught him the art of artifact forging.

  A long, forgotten time in the great wilderness.

  It seemed not much time had passed, but in reality, time flowed incredibly fast, unnoticed. Many mighty individuals spent hundreds or thousands of years seeking immortality and the Dao. Destiny and the other disciples had been cultivating in the sect for a long era.

  Beside Destiny was Mei's third disciple, Daoist name Minua. Her true form was a piece of jade, her temperament serene, her mind clear. Mei taught her the art of consecration.

  Through years of consecration,

  She refined her Innate jade into a hairpin named the Soul-Anchoring Hairpin. It could anchor a person's spirit, soul, and magic power. As long as one called out a person's name, it could instantly take that person's life.

  A streak of light pierced the void.

  Destiny reached out and caught it. Upon closer inspection, it was precisely the wisp of Solar Golden Essence that Zonhi had secured. Zonhi was nowhere in sight, but his voice transmitted.

  "Junior Brother, this item is for you to forge a magical artifact."

  "Thank you, Senior Brother!"

  Destiny bowed toward a certain direction in the distance, then chuckling, accepted the Solar Golden Essence. He had been wondering how to ask his Senior Brother, but it seemed his Senior Brother already knew his thoughts.

  In the palace,

  Around Mei, Earth, Water, Fire, and Wind evolved, all things returning to the circulation of Yin and Yang energies. The next moment, the supreme mystery of the Dao manifested, revealing the might of Taikyoku.

  Demon-Quelling Manifestation!