Chapter 289: True Self, Mana Body, Ether Body

Chapter 289: True Self, Mana Body, Ether Body

“Star Embryonic Body?” Wu Yuan was startled. “Cultivate two true selves?”

Creating a new true self was no easy feat. Those who chose the path of eldritch universal cultivation had to learn the Soul Split Secret Art and cultivate two true selves in order to reach the pinnacle of both body refining and qi refining cultivation. Failing to do so would mean sacrificing one for the other.

However, a new true self was comparable to a second life, one could only imagine the difficulty of creating one.

"Little Black, is it true?" Wu Yuan asked via spiritual transmission.

Things were now different compared to a year ago when Little Black was just born. Despite the wealth of inherited memories it possessed, there was simply not enough time for it to fully absorb and comprehend them all back then.

Over the past year, Wu Yuan's power had surged to new heights. As Little Black's mana and physical strength grew, so too did its wisdom and insight. It could now offer Wu Yuan guidance in various areas.

"It’s true," Little Black affirmed. "Master, this place aligns perfectly with the description of the Star Embryonic Body in my memories."

Little Black continued. "Master, there is no danger within this hall. It’s safe for you to enter and explore."

Wu Yuan had conducted a preliminary scan with his Soul Force and claimed ownership over the entrance token. Along with Little Black scouting the path ahead, Wu Yuan now felt confident enough to enter the passageway.

In a flash, he glided across the hundred-meter-long metallic passage.

Before him lay a vast, empty hall, constructed of silver-white metal tinged with hues of green. It spanned several hundred meters in length and over ten meters in height.

This? Wu Yuan’s gaze settled on a massive crystal platform at the center of the hall. Radiant chains of light extended from the platform into the air, as though they were seamlessly connected with the surrounding space. It gave Wu Yuan a somewhat eerie feeling.

At that moment, Little Black began to shrink in size. It circled the crystal platform, eyeing the interior.

Three passageways? Wu Yuan’s eyes swept across the hall, noting three identical metallic corridors leading in various directions. The destination of each passage remained a mystery to him.

"Master, come quickly!" Little Black's urgent call rang out, its gaze not leaving the crystal platform.

With a swift stride, Wu Yuan joined Little Black at the circular platform, which had a diameter exceeding ten meters and a depth of more than three meters. The surface of the platform was transparent, and constructed of some unknown material.

Peering in, Wu Yuan’s eyes were immediately drawn to the mysterious liquid within. The platform held a large quantity of liquid that seemed to sparkle like starlight. The liquid bore a resemblance to the Starlight Liquid Wu Yuan consumed during his days as a martial artist, but it was even more pure and crystalline in nature.

Yet, it was not the liquid that captivated him the most. It was the massive elliptical egg, suspended in the center of the platform.

The egg, measuring over two meters in diameter, had a pristine white shell, adorned with intricate patterns that seemed to shimmer in harmony with the surrounding liquid. It exuded a powerful vital aura, as if some powerful life form was being nurtured within it.

"Master, look, this liquid is Star Embryonic Liquid which nurtures the Star Embryonic Body," Little Black exclaimed eagerly. "How did that Jin Quan or whatever have such a treasure in his possession?"

"This is a precious treasure for creating a qi refiner true self. And now, it’s all yours, Master," Little Black fidgeted with excitement.

"The original owner of this relic must have been someone extraordinary," Little Black remarked.

"Little Black," Wu Yuan said in a hushed tone, "I am familiar with the method for creating a qi refiner true self, but what are the Star Embryonic Liquid and Star Embryonic Body? I have never heard of them before."

The eight immortal slips Wu Yuan received from the realm master contained a wealth of common knowledge about cultivation. But as a mere spirit left behind by the Hou Feng Tribe, the realm master's knowledge was limited.

"Master, your initial plan was to cultivate to the Amethyst Cradle phase. Then, when your soul reached the Yuan Soul level, you would employ the ‘Soul Split Secret Art’ in order to refine two true selves. Am I right?" Little Black inquired.

"That is correct," Wu Yuan nodded.

Creating a qi refiner true self early on was like having an extra life, a significant advantage.

A true self was distinct from a mana body or ether body. When one reached profound heights on the path of cultivation, qi refiners would create a mana body while body refiners would create an ether body.

Both mana and ether bodies were formidable assets. Even if they were to die in battle, they could be recreated. However, they could never replace the true self. If the true self perished, so too would the mana body and ether body.

By cultivating two true selves, as long as one remained alive, an individual was still able to continue living.

On the road of cultivation, longevity was the ultimate prize. And for Wu Yuan, acquiring the Star Embryonic Body in the Middle Land was already his great fortune.

"Is my current soul level sufficient to begin creating a new true self?" Wu Yuan asked.

The earlier the qi refiner true self was created, the lower the requirements for the soul.

"It’s sufficient. From my inherited memories, if you perfect Soul Perception at the Communion phase, success is within reach," Little Black assured him. "As for reaching the Yang Soul level? 100% success rate."

Wu Yuan nodded. He trusted Little Black's words.

"However, I sense that the Star Embryonic Body has yet to reach maturity," Little Black remarked. "Perhaps it would be wise for Master to leave a strand of consciousness within the embryonic body."

Wu Yuan nodded in agreement.

As time flowed by, Wu Yuan focused on contemplating the purpose of the circular platform.

After a long time, he finally gained some understanding. The surface shimmered with chains that resembled streams of light, yet they were, in truth, a complex array intertwined with the grand hall.

With a sharp exhale, Wu Yuan's mind trembled slightly as a thread of his consciousness extended outward, piercing through the platform and merging with the colossal white egg.

A comforting warmth enveloped the strand of consciousness, allowing it to recover swiftly. However, this was just the first step. To truly fuse with the egg, half of his soul would need to be infused into it.

After that, Wu Yuan scoured the hall for any hidden treasures. Unfortunately, they had already long been plundered by Jin Quan.

Three more passageways? Wu Yuan's gaze swept over the remaining paths, detecting a mysterious force obstructing them.

"Let’s go!" After selecting a passageway to explore, Little Black scouted the path as Wu Yuan followed closely behind. They moved cautiously and did not face any obstructions.

After traveling nearly a kilometer, Wu Yuan and Little Black entered a small chamber. It had a diameter of a few dozen meters and was devoid of furnishings.

What is this place? Wu Yuan pondered, studying the cryptic patterns on the walls, which were not found on the walls of the outer grand hall.

The entire relic was an unbroken whole, akin to an artifact. However, Wu Yuan didn’t see a control center.

Suddenly, a buzzing sound filled the air as a powerful surge of soul energy converged from all directions, targeting Wu Yuan's upper dantian lobe.

A soul attack? Wu Yuan's eyes narrowed.

Boom! His Soul Force surged outward, preemptively defending against the assault.

The enemy’s soul power was effortlessly repelled by Wu Yuan's soul, and he thwarted the attack with ease. Compared to the worm devil, this attack was barely worth mentioning.

"You managed to block it?" A shocked youthful voice echoed through the hall. "Who are you? Could it be that you slew Jin Quan and claimed the token?"