Dominator of the Firmament . . .
'Operate your full power and wrap the stele with it! If you can refine it, the entire Nine-layer Valley will be yours! You may not be able to enter the fifth layer yet, but the fourth layer has more than you can get. You will get to know that in the end, it is everything in this place that can support you to become a super-powerful cultivator in the starry sky!'
'If you can't refine it within twenty-four hours, you will be banished out, and then you are no longer the fourth person anymore!'
'By the way, take this as advice from a friend. With your cultivation capability, you can only hang around in no higher than the fourth layer. Before you reach the level of saint spirit unification and become the heaven's chosen, you should never step into the fifth layer!'
'Young man, I don't know your name yet, but... from now on, before you can go higher, this is the last time for you to see my words.'
'I will wait for you in the fifth layer!'
'If you can't enter the fifth layer in three years, you are no more the fourth person!'
'Take care of yourself!'
Master Tianji's words were stern, and Cha Eun Xiao realized that none of them were a jest. It seemed like there was plenty of time, yet the urgency was palpable.
If it weren't urgent, Master Tianji, who possessed immense power, wouldn't have taken the time to offer such a warning.
Cha Eun Xiao felt the pressure mounting. He closed his eyes and began to channel the East-rising Purple Qi with full concentration.
It was the first time since his rebirth that he had focused so intently on a single task. He had faced numerous challenges before, such as contending with the Cosmic Hades' extreme cold qi, participating in the battle of the war, and mobilizing every resource to defeat Gu Jinlong. However, those tasks had never required his complete, undivided attention as this did. His singular focus was on one thing: refining the stele.
Before the recent events, if someone had told him that he would exert such effort just to exact revenge on someone, he would have laughed it off as absurd. The idea of working diligently solely for the purpose of getting back at someone seemed preposterous.
But now, he recognized that it was indeed something he would strive for, and it was the only thing he was striving for. Beating someone up had become his sole motivation and driving force.
His inner monologue repeated, "Refine the stele! Refine the stele!" He was completely absorbed in this singular objective.
The energy of the East-rising Purple Qi surged and enveloped the entire jade stele. The stele began to emit countless streams of light.
One of these streams shot up into the sky and disappeared into the universe, unnoticed by Cha Eun Xiao, who remained focused on his martial arts practice. The purple qi flowed like rivers converging into the sea, relentlessly encasing the stele.
Meanwhile, far away in another realm, a man in white clothes meditated with his eyes closed in the void. His white garments resembled snow, and he seemed to blend seamlessly into the void, creating an air of profundity and elegance.
Suddenly, a beam of purple light pierced the sky and created a vortex in the void. The beam of light shot directly into the center of the vortex.
The man in white slowly opened his eyes and calmly observed the vortex.
Behind him, a man dressed in black appeared, his aura expansive and boundless, dominating the entire expanse.
It seemed as if his power had no limits.
The man in white didn't turn around to face him but instead spoke gently, "Chief, you've made further progress?"
The man in black responded with a serene smile, "I've finally reached the fringe of the firmament. However, my energy flow was too conspicuous. It's only the initial phase, but it will be perfect once I can make it imperceptible, even to you."
The man in white let out a sigh and spoke in a congratulatory tone, "Congratulations, Chief. You've taken another step forward after reaching the pinnacle of your path. It's quite possible you're invincible in the world of stars."
The man in black, while smiling, responded, "Perhaps, or perhaps not. I have a feeling that Jun Moxie might have reached such heights long before us."
With a smile, the man in white encouraged him, "Keep striving, Brother."
The man in black expressed a thoughtful sentiment, saying, "Individuals occupy unique realms within their starlit worlds. I believe all of you will catch up soon, my brothers."
The man in white nodded in agreement.
The man in black inquired, "Has the fourth person arrived?" as he gazed at the vortex.
The man in white confirmed, "Yes, he has. The Gate of Time has been activated."
The man in black nodded and remarked, "Let's see how this one fares."
The man in white shared a sober assessment, "This marks the ninth attempt. The best of the previous eight only achieved dominion within the starlit world, still far from attaining true greatness. This is the ninth attempt."
A knowing smile graced the man in black's lips as he pointed out, "The word 'ninth' sounds rather familiar."
The man in white chuckled and nodded, "Indeed, and that's why I hold high hopes for him."
With confidence, the man in black declared, "I believe he can succeed because it's the ninth attempt."
He continued with a serious tone, "Nevertheless, we must ensure that no one takes any hasty actions. Once we confirm the fourth person, we should immediately obscure the grand universe."
The man in white concurred, "Of course. They are all unpredictable individuals who may relish the prospect of a chaotic world. Although they claim not to meddle, they are likely to become involved. Ji Mo, in particular, has already clashed with the young man."
The man in black grew stern, "Nonsense!"
He noticed the vortex slowing down, transforming into a flat screen, and said, "Summon the others."
The man in white replied, "Certainly."
The man in black, with a measured tone, remarked, "Tianji, after this, we'll be halfway to fulfilling destiny. Our concerns will be resolved. However, regarding Ji Mo... handle it. If they keep postponing... it might lead to even greater regrets."