Chapter 14: The Road Ahead!

The "Divine Path Technique" that Wang Lin practiced back then was an incomplete fragment, and thus, the clone he cultivated possessed certain flaws.

The most significant among these was the issue of lifespan. Initially, a Divine Path clone possessed a lifespan of only half a *jiazi*, which is 30 years. Only when the clone's cultivation broke through to the Nascent Soul stage could its lifespan be further extended.

However, what Zhu Chen was currently condensing was the complete version of the Divine Path clone, so the problem of a short lifespan did not exist.

As long as the original body remained undestroyed, the clone could exist indefinitely.

Secondly, there were limitations regarding cultivation level.

Once an incomplete Divine Path clone was condensed, its cultivation would be reduced to less than one percent of the original.

When Wang Lin's former Divine Path clone was born, his original body had already reached the Core Formation stage, yet the clone was only at the third level of Qi Refinement; this was a clear indication of that disparity.

But the complete version of the Divine Path clone had no such restriction.

Whatever realm the original body was in, the condensed clone would be in that same realm.

The only thing to note was that the higher the cultivation, the greater the difficulty in condensing the clone.

However, Zhu Chen did not need to worry about this.

His current cultivation was only at the Blood Moving stage. With the help of Wang Lin's insights and comprehension regarding the Divine Path clone, the difficulty of condensing it was not great for him.

However, just as Zhu Chen was using various heavenly treasures and earthly wonders to condense the Divine Path clone, an unexpected accident occurred quietly.

The drop of Pangu Essence Blood that he had previously refined suddenly flew out from deep within his brow on its own, and then actively merged into the body of the Divine Path clone.

Immediately following this, a terrifying, suffocating blood qi instantly radiated from within the clone's body.

"How can this be?"

Zhu Chen performed hand seals, hurriedly checking the condition of the Divine Path clone, only to unexpectedly discover that this clone had already completely fused with that half-drop of Pangu Essence Blood.

By using the complete "Divine Path Technique," he had successfully refined a Divine Path clone that could merge with himself.

It was only due to the unexpected appearance of that half-drop of Pangu Essence Blood that this Divine Path clone had undergone a mutation.

Unlike an ordinary Divine Path clone, this one possessed not a shred of divine ability, yet its body contained an astonishing amount of blood qi, and its physical strength was powerful to an outrageous degree.

Even more absurdly.

Just like Zhu Chen's original body, it could continue to strengthen its physical body by absorbing spiritual qi.

Furthermore, because it had discarded divine abilities, all the heaven and earth spiritual qi it absorbed was fed back entirely into its physical body, making its physical strength even more formidable.

"I previously only used that drop of Pangu Essence Blood to cleanse my bones and forge my body to stimulate my infinite potential. I didn't expect this clone to completely fuse with the remaining half-drop of Pangu Essence Blood."

Zhu Chen understood the reason after only a moment of thought.

But this was actually better.

The energy contained within the Pangu Essence Blood was too terrifying; he couldn't absorb it at all, and if it remained in his body for too long, it would instead become a hidden danger.

Now that this clone had digested the remaining portion for him, it had inadvertently helped him solve a major problem.

In the future, this clone could be cultivated as a vessel for pure physical strength, specifically to study the Great Dao of Strength.

Once the physical strength reached great success in the future and merged with the original body, it would be equivalent to fully inheriting the power of Pangu.

It was just that this clone probably couldn't be called a Divine Path clone anymore.

It should be called a Flesh Path clone.

Mm, that's a good name.

...

At the same time.

In a lava zone dozens of miles away.

"It's actually a Spirit Body? The Holy Son is only at the Blood Moving stage; how could he possibly have cultivated a Spirit Body?"

"The Holy Son possesses the Ancient Vermilion Bird bloodline and has inherited the complete Vermilion Bird legacy; he is by no means someone we can compare to. He must have used some kind of inheritance secret technique to condense this Spirit Body."

"As expected of the Holy Son..."

The several experts of the Fire Kingdom lurking in the shadows were instantly stunned upon seeing Zhu Chen condense a Spirit Body.

Splitting into a Spirit Body was a method that only experts in the Venerable Realm could achieve.

They hadn't expected Zhu Chen to do it while still in the Blood Moving stage.

If this matter were to spread, it would likely cause a massive uproar in the Desolate Region and even the entire Lower Realm.

...

"Now that this matter is settled, it is time for me to break through..."

With the Great Tribulation of the Desolate Region approaching, it was naturally impossible for Zhu Chen to remain at the Blood Moving stage forever.

He prepared to open a Grotto-Heaven.

But before that, he first had to find a quiet place for secluded cultivation.

After all, the Flesh Path clone needed to quietly absorb the spiritual qi of heaven and earth to temper its physical body; it wouldn't work without a quiet place.

In fact, Zhu Chen already had a preferred location in mind: the secret chamber within the Fire God Tree in the capital of the Fire Kingdom.

That secret chamber was the resting place of the Fire Kingdom's Holy Emperor.

In the entire Fire Kingdom, only two people could enter it.

One was the Fire Emperor, and the other was him.

The Fire Emperor was his future father-in-law; he certainly wouldn't harm him.

Additionally, beneath the ancient golden coffin in that secret chamber, a mysterious ancient battlefield was sealed.

Whenever the Fire Kingdom faced disaster, the heroic spirits of that ancient battlefield would manifest to protect the kingdom.

With the protection of the formations, cultivating there with his clone would be absolutely safe.

Thinking of this, Zhu Chen no longer hesitated.

With a thought, he merged directly with his clone. Then, a pair of Vermilion Bird wings manifested from his back, and with a flap of his wings, he instantly transformed into a rainbow and vanished toward the horizon.

...

After returning to the capital of the Fire Kingdom.

Without stopping, Zhu Chen flew straight toward the roots of the Fire God Tree.

The golden coffin containing the Fire Kingdom's Holy Emperor was placed at the roots of the Fire God Tree. There was a portal crafted from Vermilion Bird wings; entering it would lead to the Holy Emperor's secret chamber.

However, just as Zhu Chen arrived before the Fire God Tree, a familiar voice suddenly rang out from behind him.

"Zhu Chen..."

Zhu Chen stopped in his tracks and turned around, only to see the Fire Emperor, dressed in dragon robes, standing behind him at some unknown time.

A plump, red-feathered little bird was currently perched on the man's shoulder.

It was the Fire Kingdom's sacrificial spirit, the Vermilion Bird.

This Vermilion Bird was not a purebred Ancient Vermilion Bird, but merely a descendant possessing a trace of the Vermilion Bird Holy Blood.

Zhu Chen had called him "Angry Little Red" since he was a child.

"What does Your Majesty require of me?"

Zhu Chen looked at the Fire Emperor and asked.

"Your cultivation..."

The Fire Emperor sized Zhu Chen up with a look of astonishment, his heart deeply shocked.

*This boy's cultivation has clearly broken through the Blood Moving stage, so why do I not sense the aura of a Grotto-Heaven Divine Ring on him?*

*What exactly is going on?*

"Your Majesty, I wish to find a place for secluded cultivation to raise my realm!"

Zhu Chen's voice interrupted the Fire Emperor's thoughts.

After regaining his composure, the Fire Emperor immediately stroked his long beard with gratification and said, "Good. It seems you have finally come to your senses. In that case, this Emperor shall find a place for you to cultivate so that you may focus on opening your Grotto-Heaven."

Although those in the Grotto-Heaven Realm were still ants in his eyes, Zhu Chen possessed the purest Ancient Vermilion Bird Holy Blood.

As long as the boy cultivated diligently, in time, he would surely reach the pinnacle of the Venerable Realm. Perhaps he could even ignite the Divine Fire in this incomplete Lower Realm and become a True God!

By then, the Fire Emperor could rest easy in entrusting his daughter and the thousands of citizens of the Fire Kingdom to him.

...

(End of Chapter)