478. The Way of the Great Dao, A Struggle for Ascendance

478. The Way of the Great Dao, A Struggle for Ascendance

The differential in the flow of time had its uses. Immersed in the second layer of the dream state, Lin Fei began to meticulously study his world laws. Having recently plundered three additional world laws, his internal laws were now rich and dense. Utilizing these laws for combat required research and practice to unleash their full potential.

In this second layer of the dream state, Lin Fei could simulate his own laws without fear of depletion or self-harm, a risk-free environment for experimentation. Any insights gained could be immediately applied in reality, progressively enhancing his overall strength.

Lin Fei understood his current situation well. He could barely survive a second Thunder Tribulation and possibly endure two additional bolts of thunder to plunder one more world law without much issue. However, attempting to plunder three laws would be incredibly challenging, nearly impossible.

Lin Fei also realized the significance of the robustness of his laws. It was not only crucial for his strength but also pivotal for achieving the status of a grand Martial God and, most importantly, becoming a Martial Ancestor.

A Martial Ancestor, akin to a true immortal, does not just integrate with a complete Dao but masters it. True immortals merge with a complete Dao, becoming immortal and eternal, existing as long as the Dao persists. Similarly, a Martial Ancestor, who controls a complete Dao, remains undying as long as the Dao endures.

Achieving mastery over a complete Dao is far more challenging than integrating with it, which is why there are fewer Martial Ancestors than true immortals. Many Martial Gods focus solely on surviving Thunder Tribulations, not realizing that this stage is not just a challenge but also an opportunity.

During the Martial Gods phase, plundering sufficient laws to build a profound foundation is crucial only then can one gradually construct the basis of a Dao and harbor even a slight hope of mastering a complete Dao. Otherwise, progressing routinely through tribulations may only lead to the limit of becoming a True Monarch.

In the methodical progression of tribulation, becoming a True Monarch was already the pinnacle. The aspiration to become a Martial Ancestor was nearly an impossibility, a common knowledge in the path of cultivation, no secret to many.

Indeed, some even kept meticulous records of such matters. To achieve the status of Martial Ancestor, one had to seize more than three laws during each heavenly tribulation, sometimes even as many as ten!

The Divine Realm was no stranger to astonishingly talented individuals. Lin Fei's capture of three laws in a single heavenly tribulation was a marvel to ordinary Martial Gods.

Who would devote time to evolving a Saber World? Saber intent, saber force, Saber Domain, Saber World - to evolve these, one must be a true devotee of the saber. In reality, how many were passionately dedicated to the saber? Nonetheless, this was a viable method, and Lin Fei etched it into his memory. Should he encounter another Saber World, he would definitely vie for it!

Besides the enhancement of the Saber World, physical strength could also be improved. This was the method most Martial Gods relied on to survive heavenly tribulations. There were numerous ways to enhance physical strength.

Lin Fei's creation of the Particle World was also a means to bolster his physique. However, other Martial Gods, lacking the world's laws, could not create worlds. But they had their methods, too: they fought for Minor Worlds, plundering their essences to forcibly strengthen their bodies. This was an arduous task, as once the essence of a Minor World was seized, the world was on the brink of collapse, tantamount to the destruction of an entire Minor World.

Moreover, typical Martial Gods were incapable of annihilating an entire Minor World. In fact, such an attempt could provoke a violent backlash from the world itself, leading to its collapse and the simultaneous downfall of the Martial Gods involved. This was the risk they took for potential reward.

Usually, several Martial Gods had to collaborate to break a particularly weak Minor World. Worlds like the Ancient Continent were far beyond their reach, impenetrable even to true immortals, let alone Martial Gods. Most Martial Gods resorted to this method, plundering the essence of Minor Worlds.

Despite the difficulty and risk of perishing, it offered them a glimmer of hope. Similarly, the powerhouses of the Immortal Dao undergoing Deity Transformation also plundered essences, aiding in their comprehension of spatial laws, uncovering the secrets of space, and advancing towards the state of True Monarch.

However, Minor Worlds were the foundational bases of many forces and could not be destroyed recklessly. For instance, the Ancient Covenant occupied many such worlds and prohibited any destruction. Martial Gods and Deity Transformation beings born in these Minor Worlds, having ascended to the Divine Realm, naturally forbade others from ravaging their homelands.

Thus, the only option was to vie for ownerless Minor Worlds, increasing the intensity of competition. The emergence of an unclaimed Minor World often resulted in the fall of several Martial Gods, while Deity Transformation entities suffered countless losses of incarnations, enduring heavy casualties.

"Whether in the Ancient Continent or the Divine Realm," Lin Fei reflected, "the path of martial arts demands one thing for advancement - struggle."

With this realization, his resolve grew firmer. He knew he must seek out Saber Worlds and contend for the essence of Minor Worlds. Otherwise, what hope did he have of achieving the status of Martial Ancestor or realizing the Great Dao?

The path of the Great Dao, after all, was one of relentless struggle.