Chapter 620 - 349: Deceiving the Heavens to Cross the Sea

According to the Celestial Dao Laws of this world, an ordinary Human Race Divinity Transformation Realm Cultivator typically has a Lifespan of around 2,500 years.

Of course, this doesn’t account for the effects of certain life-extending Elixirs, Cultivation Techniques, and Heavenly and Earthly Treasures.

However, Ling Changqing possessed a mysterious Heavy Artifact like the Era Star Palace. By sacrificing a large number of high-grade Demon Beast Cores and Cultivator souls, his own Lifespan limit had shockingly broken through the 20,000-year mark.

In terms of Lifespan alone, he could already be compared to a Void Refinement Realm expert.

However, Ling Changqing had to consume a vast amount of Lifespan to improve his Art Skills in Pill, Talisman, Array, and Artifacts, as well as to advance his Primary Cultivation Technique. Therefore, a Lifespan of over 20,000 years still seemed far too short.

"...Master,"

Gong Ling, her beautiful face now even more vivid, lively, and stunningly radiant, hugged him. She rubbed her voluptuous and enchanting body against him and asked with a charming smile:

"Now that you’ve stepped into the Divinity Transformation Realm, which abilities do you plan to upgrade first?"

"Celestial Secret Technique and Divination, and the Alchemy Dao, of course,"

Ling Changqing replied without the slightest hesitation. Every time his Cultivation advanced, these were the options he prioritized upgrading.

"Mm, to upgrade the Path of Celestial Secret Art and Divination to Rank Five Low Grade will require consuming 3,500 years of Lifespan. Middle Grade will be 7,000 years. Do you confirm the upgrade?"

"Upgrade it!"

Ling Changqing said. As the Era Star Palace’s main body recovered, the Lifespan cost for upgrading Art Skills had also been reduced somewhat. He had originally estimated that upgrading to Rank Five Low Grade would cost at least 4,000 years of Lifespan.

Instantly, a chaotic-hued Dao Fire enveloped Ling Changqing. His Lifespan was consumed as quickly as snow melting under high heat, nearly half of it gone in the blink of an eye.

[Master of the Era Star Palace: Ling Changqing]

[Bone Age: 144/12,830]

[Celestial Secret Technique and Divination: 0/500,000 (Rank Five Middle Grade)]

For Cultivators in this world, the Path of Celestial Secret Art and Divination was arguably the most important ability, so it had to be prioritized for upgrades.

"To upgrade the Alchemy Art Skills to Rank Five Low Grade requires 1,500 years of Lifespan. Rank Five Middle Grade is 3,000 years. It’s the same for the Talisman Dao Art Skills. Do you confirm the upgrade?"

"Upgrade them all!"

Ling Changqing replied, feeling a slight pang. More than half of his 20,000-plus years of Lifespan were gone in an instant. He just couldn’t seem to hold on to it.

As the chaotic Dao Fire enveloped Ling Changqing, a moment later:

[Alchemy Dao: 0/300,000 (Rank Five Middle Grade)]

[Talisman Dao: 0/300,000 (Rank Five Middle Grade)]

At this moment, his Lifespan had become 3,830 years, which was still quite a bit higher than that of an ordinary Divinity Transformation Cultivator.

Ling Changqing thought for a moment. There were still many Demon Beast Cores of various grades stored in the Grotto Heaven Blessed Land, all of them spoils of war from those Cultivators.

He didn’t hesitate, taking them all out to be sacrificed. They weren’t particularly rare; he could just figure out a way to hunt more Demon Beasts and acquire more later.

When the sacrifice was complete, his Lifespan had become 11,590.

Ling Changqing decided to go all the way and upgraded both the Array Dao and the Artifact Dao to Rank Five Middle Grade, consuming another 9,000 years of Lifespan.

Thus, his remaining Lifespan was 2,590 years, still within the normal range for a Divinity Transformation Cultivator.

"How much has your main body recovered now?"

Ling Changqing wrapped his arm around Gong Ling’s smooth, firm waist, gently caressing and admiring it.

"About six percent. It’s enough to help you shield against the Celestial Secret Calculations of Integration Realm Cultivators. Even Mahayana Realm Cultivators would find it difficult to scheme against you."

Gong Ling’s smile was full of mirth as more obscure and profound information flooded into Ling Changqing’s sea of consciousness.

While Great Powers at the Integration and Mahayana Realms would find it hard to scry about Ling Changqing, he could scry their secrets if he was willing to sacrifice some Lifespan.

Additionally, there was the great power of "Defying Fate." It could not only improve a Cultivator’s aptitude, Root Bone, and innate talent, but also cleanse all toxins and impurities from their body and heal any hidden injuries or latent dangers.

After Ling Changqing broke through to the Divinity Transformation Realm, he could use this ability twice a month. Each use could benefit thirty people at the cost of three hundred years of Lifespan.

Ling Changqing hadn’t used this great power much in the past, as it was only effective on Cultivators who were one Great Realm below his own.

Therefore, only those exceptionally beautiful Female Cultivators who had earned Ling Changqing’s favor would enjoy such special treatment.

The area of the Era Star Palace Grotto Heaven Blessed Land had now expanded to a radius of five hundred li, equivalent to a Large City.

The Spiritual Qi within the Grotto Heaven Blessed Land had grown even more abundant, reaching the level of a Grade Six Spirit Vein. It could now support numerous Void Refinement Realm Cultivators in long-term Cultivation in Seclusion.

After finishing his exchange with Gong Ling and completely stabilizing his Realm, Ling Changqing slowly opened his eyes.

The lavish and exquisite bedchamber was as quiet as ever. Layers of Restriction light screens sealed it from the outside world, and only the boundless starlight from the dome above continued to pour down tirelessly.

Ling Changqing shifted slightly. As the Five Elements Origin Secret Manual and the Langhuan Celestial Essence Secret Manual circulated within him, his Magical Power surged like a great river, and his every move carried an immense pressure.

Beside him, Immortal Venerable Doumu was still asleep. Her voluptuous and enchanting body was veiled in a dreamlike layer of starlight gauze, her undulating, mountainous curves faintly visible.

After this period of Dual Cultivation, the "non-human" aura about her had completely dissipated, replaced by the vibrant life force that only a true living being possessed.

Shui Wan Zhao and Yu Qinghuang lay on his left and right sides, respectively. The two Female Cultivators from the Celestial Derivation Pavilion, having received his ’favor’ for the first time, were sleeping soundly, a satisfied blush still hanging on their jade-like faces.

"Husband, you’re awake?"

Not far away, Xue Qingtan, her beautiful face blushing, smiled sweetly. Her gaze swept over him, and she nodded in satisfaction:

"Your foundation in the Divinity Transformation Realm is quite solid. And your Qi Fortune has grown by a large margin, which has benefited all of us sisters as well."