In the main hall of the Divine Spirit Sect, three beams of light appeared. Chen Tian, Qing Yao, and Sheng Tianyi stood in the center of the hall. Chen Tian surveyed the current state of the Divine Spirit Sect, his divine sense encompassing the entire sect. It was significantly stronger than before, with over a thousand disciples. If not for the thousands of disciples lost in the secret realm, the Divine Spirit Sect would undoubtedly be flourishing now.
Qing Yao looked at Chen Tian with longing and asked softly, "Chen Tian, is it true that you can enhance our strength?"
Chen Tian nodded. "I can do that, but it requires you to make a choice. A monumental choice. Whether you're willing depends on you."
"I will integrate the distinct core essences of the Divine Spirit Realm into your bodies. You and Sheng Tianyi will wield the power of the Divine Spirit Realm and the Cultivation Realm, causing your cultivation to soar. However, by accepting these distinct core essences, you must also bear the responsibility of saving the Divine Spirit Realm. The outcome is uncertain, and everything will depend on yourselves."
As Chen Tian finished speaking, Sheng Tianyi and Qing Yao exchanged glances and nodded simultaneously. Their faces then firmed as they declared, "We are willing."
Qing Yao and Sheng Tianyi would not let such an opportunity pass. Who would refuse an increase in their strength? It was merely an added responsibility, what difficulty would that pose for them? They believed that under Chen Tian's leadership, all obstacles could be overcome. Moreover, with the three thousand deceased disciples, they would never find peace, and the unavenged deaths would become a mental demon, hindering their progress in cultivation.
"Are you certain?"
Chen Tian looked at the two. If possible, he did not want to involve Qing Yao and Sheng Tianyi. The Divine Spirit Realm was his world, not a world for cultivators. The two worlds were entirely unrelated. Qing Yao stated resolutely, "Chen Tian, we are prepared. Rest assured, we will not regret this."
Chen Tian understood their true intentions. Very well, Chen Tian would grant them their wish.
"Qing Yao, stand where you are. I will summon an individual identical to you from the Divine Spirit Realm. Then, your core essences will merge. Remember to maintain your true self during the fusion process, open your minds, and do not resist. If you can withstand the will of the other-world Qing Yao, your strength will increase. The severe consequence of failure is her possessing your body, leaving you passive and unable to control yourself at any moment."
After speaking, Chen Tian paused to think. It seemed the Qing Yao from the Divine Spirit Realm was indeed him. He was...
Chen Tian suddenly felt like abandoning this plan. If Qing Yao couldn't withstand it, Chen Tian truly didn't want to encounter her. She was so troublesome, he couldn't bear it.
As soon as Chen Tian finished speaking, his palms formed distinct seals, interlocking with each other. The surrounding spiritual energy converged into the seals, making them increasingly clear. In the entire hall, a vast aura emanated, the power of the Divine Spirit. The Divine Spirit power permeated the area, enveloping the Divine Spirit Sect's sect leader's hall in a brilliant golden light, sacred and majestic. The disciples cultivating within the Divine Spirit Sect were suppressed by the light, rendered completely immobile. The aura was too terrifying.
"Heavens, what is that light? It's so terrifying. Just a sliver of its aura has paralyzed me."
"It's the sect leader's hall. Could it be that the sect leader has returned?"
"My goodness, just how powerful is our sect leader?"
"I don't know about powerful, but under this light, I have no will to resist. I can only prostrate myself."
...
Chen Tian was unaware of the magnitude of the stir he was causing within the Divine Spirit Sect. At this moment, Chen Tian spread his arms, the seals split, and he raised his palms. The seals detached from Chen Tian's palms and floated into the air of the hall. Two golden seals spun and converged, creating a golden vortex. A boundless momentum surged from within the vortex. Qing Yao and Sheng Tianyi knelt under this overwhelming force. Qing Yao could hardly believe it. Was this truly her other-world counterpart? The mere aura was so formidable, so terrifying.
Qing Yao's blood and soul began to resonate in the face of this immense aura. A graceful figure stepped out from the vortex. It was a woman, delicate and beautiful, clad in a blue lotus skirt, with slender legs. With each step she took, lotuses bloomed beneath her feet. She possessed phoenix eyes, innocent pupils, and long blue hair that swayed like willows in the wind.
"Chen Tian, I've found you! It's wonderful."
As the maiden emerged from the vortex, her first impulse was to rush towards Chen Tian. Chen Tian dodged, and the maiden missed, pouting and complaining, "It's been thousands of years, can't you let me hug you? Please?"
"Bi Yao, stop it. You know your current state. Return to your place."
"Hehe, let me hug you and then I'll go back. Otherwise, don't even think about it. I've wanted to hug you for thousands of years. I didn't succeed then, and I won't give up now."
"Uh!!"
Chen Tian didn't know what to do. This girl was so persistent, and she had been so for thousands of years, clinging to him. He was numb.
"Stop messing around and return to your place."
"Alright, alright. Why aren't you heartbroken by such a virtuous woman like me? Sigh!"
The maiden spoke with self-praise, a look of contentment on her face, which made Chen Tian even more disinclined to speak.
The maiden's name was Bi Yao, an individual from the Divine Spirit Realm, the game world's counterpart to Qing Yao. She shared the same core essence and soul as Qing Yao. In the Divine Spirit Realm, she was known as Fairy Bi Yao and was Chen Tian's second strongest subordinate among the divine spirits.
Chen Tian, as the Divine Lord, had numerous subordinates under his divine spirits. Bi Yao was naturally among them. Furthermore, Bi Yao was a subordinate of his sister's friend. Her strength and aura were beyond question, as no one who could become a subordinate of a divine spirit was weak.
Yet, ever since Bi Yao met Chen Tian, she had always wanted to tease him. She was mischievous and spirited. Previously, she wanted to hug Chen Tian, and he hadn't agreed. Who knew that this objective had persisted for thousands of years without change? Chen Tian was speechless.
Chen Tian was well aware of Bi Yao's affections but had no interest. Neither the Chen Tian of thousands of years ago nor the Chen Tian of today felt any interest.
Bi Yao turned and looked up at Qing Yao, a giggle escaping her lips. "Is this the individual from my world? Her core essence is so weak! And her soul is also not good. Sigh!"
"Don't complain. Hurry up and fuse, or you'll completely dissipate soon."
"Alright, alright, stop rushing me. Consider it that you've found a successor for me."
Bi Yao's ethereal form suddenly exploded, transforming into streams of blue energy that twined around Qing Yao's skin, entering her body. Qing Yao's expression immediately contorted. This power, this spiritual energy, was too formidable. She was on the verge of collapse.
"Qing Yao, hold on! Hold on!"
Chen Tian clasped his hands, his fingers colliding. He was also very tense. He knew the danger involved in this matter. The fusion had already begun and could not be stopped. Stopping it would cause both of them to dissipate.
Qing Yao broke out in a cold sweat. The veins on her forehead bulged. She was exerting all her strength to accept this power and spiritual energy.
After a prolonged wait, Qing Yao let out a roar. Waves of sound spread from the sect leader's hall, causing the Divine Spirit Sect to tremble slightly. The cultivating disciples were all affected.
They truly wanted to know what their sect leader was doing to cause such a commotion.
Qing Yao's aura stabilized. Her entire demeanor and appearance began to change. The two core essences merged, and their souls fused. Qing Yao's cultivation level rose like drinking water, from the Core Formation realm to the first level of the Void Annihilation realm, then the third level, then the first level of the Divine Annihilation realm, and finally the ninth level. Only then did her cultivation stop rising.
Qing Yao's appearance underwent a significant transformation. The fusion of individuals from two different worlds resulted in Qing Yao's appearance changing, incorporating the strengths of Bi Yao from the Divine Spirit Realm and Qing Yao's own appearance from the Cultivation Realm. She was now more radiant and extraordinary than an immortal maiden.
Qing Yao felt the power within her. This power far surpassed the strength of cultivators.
Chen Tian replied, "Bi Yao has merged with you. Your spiritual energy will transform into divine sense. Bi Yao, as a subordinate of the divine spirits, you now have the qualifications to inherit a divine position. This is not the Divine Spirit Realm, so I cannot help you here. In the future, when I take you into the Divine Spirit Realm to resolve the crisis, I will bestow upon you a divine position. This will not be a low-tier god, but a true divine spirit position."
"If you can advance further, you may even step into the legendary Sacred Divine Realm. Keep striving."
A hint of reluctance and nostalgia flickered across Chen Tian's face. He knew Bi Yao was gone, but their bond and their story were not something he could easily adjust to.
Qing Yao nodded, saying nothing. She understood Chen Tian's feelings. She accepted everything of Bi Yao, inheriting her memories and legacy. Qing Yao silently mourned for Chen Tian in her heart.
Chen Tian settled his mind and recovered. Everything had passed. What was past was past. The future was still unknown. Looking at the present, there was no need to dwell on the past.
Bi Yao had died long ago. All that remained was a trace of her core essence and a lingering will, intended to find a successor to inherit her legacy. Now that Qing Yao and Bi Yao had merged, this wish had been fulfilled.
Chen Tian had also done something right.
Sheng Tianyi's heart stirred with excitement. The sect leader was looking at him. It would be his turn soon. What would his other-world counterpart be like? Would he be stronger or weaker than Qing Yao?
Sheng Tianyi looked forward to these questions.
Chen Tian looked at Sheng Tianyi, his eyes conveying information. Chen Tian hesitated.
His expression became troubled because Sheng Tianyi's counterpart in the Divine Spirit Realm with the same core essence and soul was none other than the Demonic God of Heaven.
Chen Tian touched his forehead. What could be done?
Qing Yao spoke, "Chen Tian, what's wrong?"
"It's nothing. It's just that Sheng Tianyi's other-world counterpart has a significant background, and we are enemies. He's a demon. I'm not sure if Sheng Tianyi can fully merge. The greatest risk is being taken over by the other party."
"You know the methods of the demon race. I'm not sure about this, and I'm starting to lose my composure."
Chen Tian weighed the possibilities internally. If Sheng Tianyi could suppress the Demonic God of Heaven, Sheng Tianyi's cultivation and strength would increase faster than Qing Yao's. Moreover, if the power of both god and demon were mastered by a single person, Sheng Tianyi's strength would undoubtedly be terrifying.
But if he were suppressed and taken over, given the Demonic God of Heaven's personality, he would certainly kill Chen Tian. Back in the Divine Spirit Realm, Chen Tian had personally slain the Demonic God of Heaven, leaving behind only a trace of his essence and soul, imprisoned in the Endless Black Domain.
The Demonic God of Heaven's hatred for Chen Tian was such that it would not dissipate even over ten lifetimes.