Chapter 23: Ascension to the Spirit Sovereign Realm
The sun hung low in the sky, casting a golden hue over the vast expanse of Xiao Feng's villa in High Chain. The tranquil surroundings belied the intense cultivation that had been taking place within its walls. Months had passed since Xiao Feng's encounter with the ancient consciousness and the revelations that followed. During this time, Xiao Feng had poured his heart and soul into cultivation, driven by the knowledge of realms far beyond what he had previously imagined.
His days were spent in seclusion, absorbing the spiritual energy that remained on Earth, and his nights were devoted to studying the mysterious stone that had been left in his care. The stone, created from a material unknown to any scholar, was impossibly hard, its surface unyielding even to Xiao Feng's most powerful techniques. Tiny golden scriptures, visible only when Xiao Feng used his most potent vision technique, hinted at the profound secrets it held.
As time passed, Xiao Feng's strength grew exponentially. The foundation he laid in this life was more stable than in his previous one, a fact that brought him no small amount of satisfaction. The thin spiritual energy on Earth was no longer a hindrance; Xiao Feng had become adept at drawing every last drop of power from his surroundings. His cultivation advanced steadily, and after months of relentless effort, he finally felt the barrier to the Spirit Sovereign Realm begin to weaken.
On a fateful evening, as the last rays of sunlight faded, Xiao Feng sat cross-legged in the heart of his cultivation chamber. The air around him shimmered with energy, and his body was enveloped in a faint aura of power. He had been on the verge of breaking through for several days now, and the time had finally come.
With a deep breath, Xiao Feng focused his mind, directing all his energy towards the barrier that separated him from the Spirit Sovereign Realm. The room around him seemed to pulse in time with his heartbeat as he pushed forward, his will unyielding. Then, with a final surge of power, the barrier shattered, and Xiao Feng felt a wave of energy flood his body. His consciousness expanded, and his senses became sharper than ever before.
He had done it. He had entered the Spirit Sovereign Realm.
For a moment, Xiao Feng simply sat there, letting the sensation of his new power wash over him. His foundation was far more stable than it had ever been in his previous life, a testament to the care he had taken in this one. The Spirit Sovereign Realm was a significant milestone, but Xiao Feng knew it was only the beginning. There were still realms far beyond this, and he was determined to reach them.
As he began to adjust to his newfound strength, Xiao Feng suddenly felt a familiar pull on his consciousness. The mysterious stone, which had been silent for months, was calling to him once more. Without hesitation, Xiao Feng allowed his mind to be drawn into the stone's depths, eager to learn what new secrets it had to reveal.
This time, the stone's connection with his consciousness was far more intense. Xiao Feng found himself standing in a vast expanse of darkness, the only light coming from the stone itself, which hovered before him, glowing with an otherworldly radiance. As he watched, the stone began to pulse with energy, and a series of golden characters appeared in the air before him.
"These are the secrets of the Void Step," a voice echoed in Xiao Feng's mind. It was the same voice that had spoken to him in the ruins, but now it was clearer, more focused. "This technique can only be practiced by those who have reached the Spirit Sovereign Realm. It grants the user speed unmatched by any technique known in the Heavenly Realm. At your current level, it will allow you to move faster than even a peak Dao Seeking Realm cultivator. And as you advance, so too will your speed."
Xiao Feng's heart raced as he absorbed the information. Speed was a crucial factor in battle, and having an advantage in that area could mean the difference between life and death. He had heard of techniques that increased speed, but nothing on the level of what the stone was describing.
"The Void Step," Xiao Feng murmured, his eyes fixed on the golden characters. He could feel the power of the technique just from looking at it, and he knew that mastering it would require all of his focus and determination. But the potential it offered was too great to ignore.
The stone's light dimmed slightly as the voice continued. "The Void Step allows you to slip through the very fabric of space, moving at speeds that defy the natural laws of this world. However, it is not without its limits. Against an opponent of equal strength, the time you control will not affect them. But it will stop everything else in the area, giving you a significant advantage."
Xiao Feng nodded, understanding the implications. This technique would make him nearly invincible in battle against weaker foes, and even against stronger ones, it would give him an edge. But he would need to be careful when facing opponents of equal power. Still, the benefits far outweighed the risks.
Determined to master the Void Step, Xiao Feng began practicing the technique immediately. The golden characters etched themselves into his mind, and he spent hours each day focusing on the intricacies of the Void Step. It was unlike any technique he had learned before, requiring him to manipulate the very essence of space itself. The training was grueling, but Xiao Feng was relentless. He pushed himself to the limits of his endurance, determined to master the technique as quickly as possible.
Months passed as Xiao Feng trained, the outside world fading into the background as he focused solely on his cultivation. The technique was incredibly difficult to master, but Xiao Feng's talent and determination saw him through. Slowly but surely, he began to grasp the nuances of the Void Step, and soon, he was able to use it with increasing proficiency.
As he continued to practice, Xiao Feng's speed increased exponentially. The technique was everything the stone had promised and more. Even at his current level, Xiao Feng could move faster than any peak Dao Seeking Realm cultivator he had encountered in his previous life. The sensation of moving through space at such incredible speeds was exhilarating, and Xiao Feng knew that he had only scratched the surface of the technique's potential.
Finally, after months of intense training, Xiao Feng mastered the Void Step. He could now move at speeds that seemed impossible, and the technique felt as natural to him as breathing. The power it granted him was immense, and he knew that it would serve him well in the challenges to come.
Two years had passed since Xiao Feng first arrived on Earth, and in that time, he had achieved more than he ever thought possible. He had entered the Spirit Sovereign Realm, stabilized his foundation, and mastered a technique that could give him an edge against even the most powerful opponents. But Xiao Feng knew that his journey was far from over. There were still realms beyond his current level, and countless challenges awaited him.
As he stood in the courtyard of his villa, the sun setting on another day of training, Xiao Feng felt a sense of calm wash over him. He was stronger than ever before, and he was ready to face whatever lay ahead. The path to ultimate power was long and treacherous, but Xiao Feng was more determined than ever to reach the pinnacle.
With the Void Step mastered and his cultivation at a new height, Xiao Feng prepared to take the next step in his journey. The future was uncertain, but one thing was clear: Xiao Feng was on the path to becoming one of the most powerful beings in existence, and nothing would stand in his way.