Chapter 160 - 105: Great Dream of Thousand Years, 48,000 Gods

"My gamble paid off!"

Overcome with excitement, Yi Yunya was immensely grateful that she had immediately gambled everything.

...

While her heart was filled with bliss and excitement, Zhong Ming frowned slightly after examining her condition.

"You’ve exhausted too much of your Heart Spirit. You’ll need to rest and recuperate before you can receive the Flame I’m passing on."

"Also, just as there are no two identical leaves in the world, there are no two identical people. What I’ve comprehended won’t necessarily suit you. As you learn from it, you must be selective about what you absorb."

After a brief pause, Zhong Ming added in a solemn tone:

"Finally, remember this: those who learn from me will live; those who merely imitate me will die. If you want to become a truly powerful Cultivator, you must have your own insights and your own will."

Having checked Yi Yunya’s condition, Zhong Ming knew that if he simply infused her with his Flame, he would only be creating an extremely inferior version of himself—like an attendant to a Divine Spirit, or a familiar.

Because they shared the same origin but were of inferior quality, such beings could pose almost no threat to him.

He wouldn’t even need to attack to deal with them. Simply releasing his aura would be enough to immobilize these pale imitations, whose essence was similar to but a counterfeit of his own.

This was just like how Long Wei’s suppressive effect on Dragon Beasts and the Water Race was far stronger than on humans.

When faced with a Flood Dragon’s might, ordinary humans would merely feel fear, whereas the Water Race and Dragon Beasts would submit from the depths of their being.

This outcome clearly went against the original intent behind humanity’s legacy of the Eternal Flame.

’The purpose of passing on the Flame is to help human civilization flourish. Therefore, the correct method is to treat the Flame I transmit as a kindling spark.’

’A Cultivator must feed this spark with their own understanding, realizations, and insights regarding Daoist Skills. Only then can it burst forth with a light that is uniquely their own.’

’A single spark can start a wildfire, and a sky full of such sparks represents the flourishing of human civilization.’

As these realizations washed over him, Zhong Ming felt inexplicably moved.

At the same time, his Eternal Flame ability pulsed, and a sudden insight came to Zhong Ming on a whim:

’Spreading more of the Flame will bring me great benefits in the future...’

’???’

’Why am I having this thought...?’

Although he couldn’t understand why, Cultivators, with their powerful Divine Souls integrated with the heavens and the earth, often had their sixth sense triggered by the unseen. In most cases, these premonitions were positive.

Therefore, Zhong Ming had no intention of being stingy with his ability.

Of course, that didn’t mean he would use it for just anyone, nor would it always be free of charge.

’Xue Yao once blessed me with an Ice Heart and has always acknowledged my status as Eldest Brother. I can grant her Enlightenment a few times for free.’

’The same goes for Jiang Yue, Dong Sea, Xie Yuzhu, and Xie Yushuang...’

’Anyone else who wants it will have to pay a price.’

...

"I understand, Senior Brother."

While Zhong Ming was lost in thought, his words reached Yi Yunya’s ears. But at that moment, all she could think about was how to win his favor.

’As for cultivating and forging her own path?’

Yi Yunya was well aware of her own limited Talent and understood even better just how powerful Zhong Ming was.

’By the time I manage to forge my own path, he’ll have long since become a Great Cultivator. The gap between us will be as wide as the heavens and the earth.’

’Instead of wasting all that Heart Power, I’m better off just pleasing him and letting him carry me.’

Since she never had any intention of surpassing, competing with, or betraying Zhong Ming, Yi Yunya had little interest in forging her own path.

Zhong Ming didn’t have time to correct Yi Yunya’s line of thinking.

As Yi Yunya descended from the sky, the onlookers swarmed toward them, their gazes fixed on Zhong Ming with a burning intensity.

"Fellow Daoist Zhong Ming, my granddaughter has a gentle disposition..."

"AHEM, Zhong Ming, I have a granddaughter as well. Would you consider taking her as a handmaiden...?"

This time, even the perpetually serious Law Enforcement Elder, Wei Jingcheng, was no exception.

It couldn’t be helped. Cultivators were people, too. They had relatives, familial bonds, and clans... all of which were ties that bound them.

This "Touching Stone into Gold" ability of Zhong Ming’s was a source of security for one’s relatives and the hope of one’s clan.

Thus, Wei Jingcheng couldn’t help but follow the crowd, hoping to secure a safeguard for his granddaughter and his clan.

If he was like this, the others—desperate to advance their own cultivation and extend their lifespans—had even more fervent looks in their eyes.

Han Yu, who didn’t have a daughter to offer, even gritted his teeth and asked, "Eldest Brother, are you still accepting followers...?"

This fervent enthusiasm gave Zhong Ming a massive headache.

Fortunately, Yi Yunya stepped forward. Acting like a gracious hostess, she began handling these tedious affairs for Zhong Ming.

This allowed Zhong Ming to slip away.

’Whew, finally free,’ he thought. ’This is more exhausting than fighting a battle.’

Now that he had some free time, Zhong Ming resumed his recitation of the Daoist Canon.

His main goal with this recitation was to elevate the realm of his Daoist Canon, advancing it to the Second Realm.

As expected, he succeeded on his very first attempt.

This was mainly because his Reading skill, having reached the Fifth Realm, was incredibly effective.

’...Dwelling idly in Chaos, inscribing profound lines; one qi divides, giving birth to legions of immortals...’

As Zhong Ming recited the Daoist Scripture in his mind, he had barely finished two lines before his Immersion trait activated.

Due to the unique nature of the Daoist Canon - Celestial Derivation, he didn’t experience the original author’s Mental Realm this time. Instead, he felt as if he were merging with the Daoist Canon - Celestial Derivation itself.

At first, this fusion only allowed Zhong Ming to perceive the latent potential within his own physical body.

’Divine Treasure... derivation... The heart has nine apertures, allowing it to awaken nine Divine Treasures. The lungs have seven, the kidneys six... If all the Five Viscera Divine Treasures are awakened and cultivated to perfection, I will obtain the Dao Fruit of Five Qi Chaoyuan!’