The Primeval Daoist Gem could be considered the greatest item that Chu Kuangren had acquired in the Forbidden Barren Wasteland. The Primeval Daoist Gem not only could strengthen his spiritual powers, but it could also greatly enhance his body and insight into the Dao.
After refining the Sword Emperor's corpse, Chu Kuangren switched his attention to the Primeval Daoist Gem. He activated his Universal Cauldron Physique and began to absorb its essence into his body.
Refining the Primeval Daoist Gem consumed a greater amount of time as compared to processing the Sword Emperor's corpse. It took Chu Kuangren four days to finish the task.
Such speed would only be possible for Chu Kuangren.
For other people, even including the Sovereigns, it would be challenging to even accomplish the task within four years.
After Chu Kuangren finished refining the Primeval Daoist Gem, his abilities did take a dramatic leap. The Emperor qi in his body had increased from three strands to a total of six!
Not only that, but the Primeval Daoist Gem had aided Chu Kuangren in pushing the boundaries of his own Dao understanding to the absolute limit. His Invincible Techniques had also improved a notch, into the Esoteric Arts region.
Meanwhile, Chu Kuangren's Supreme Sage body had grown a lot stronger, thanks to the Primeval Daoist Gem and six strands of Emperor Qi's nourishment. Yet, from the outside, he still looked like the same old him.
However, Chu Kuangren's internal body structure, such as his blood, bones, and even muscle fibers was now coated with a layer of golden glow that was seething with the mild presence of an Emperor's Aura!
His body was slowly transitioning into an Emperor body!
"It feels like even without using my cultivation, my physical strength is all I need to punch a Boundary Emperor to death."
Chu Kuangren murmured.
With six strands of Emperor Qi, his Invincible Techniques, and his Emperor Techniques, who in all of Emperor Road could possibly rival Chu Kuangren?
Chu Kuangren's eyes were glowing with excitement.
Becoming an Emperor!
His only goal left was to become an Emperor!
The rest of the people were no longer a concern for him.
"Since there are still some resources left, let's just refine it all together."
Chu Kuangren went on to retrieve some elixir-types of Opportunities of Fortune.
After a worthwhile effort, his body birthed yet another strand of Emperor qi.
What a fruitful journey the Forbidden Barren Wasteland had been.
"I now have seven strands of Emperor Qi. It's said that those below the level of an Emperor can produce nine strands at most. It looks like I can defeat even most of the well-endowed Sovereigns now."
Chu Kuangren smiled contently and exited his closed-door meditation.
He lifted the seals and walked out of a mountain cave.
That was when he noticed a figure standing elegantly under a lofty tree.
It was Lan Yu.
Seeing Chu Kuangren exiting his meditation, her eyes lit up, and she hastily walked up to him. "Master, you've finished your closed-door meditation so soon?"
Lan Yu had expected that Chu Kuangren would take at least another year and a half.
She would not have thought that it would take only a few days.
Endowed with the Universal Cauldron Physique and blessed with superior intellect, Chu Kuangren's speed of refining resources far surpassed most people's imagination.
"Yep, what about you? Aren't you going to isolate yourself too?"
Chu Kuangren asked curiously.
"I've received instruction from the Holy Light Religion to return at once," Lan Yu answered.
"Oh." Chu Kuangren raised his brow. "What's the rush with the Holy Light Religion Leader? I'm quite curious now."
"I don't know either, Master. I was just hesitating if I should return first while you were meditating," said Lan Yu.
"Have you familiarize yourself with the completed Holy Divine Fire Art?"
"Hmm, I've mastered it now."
Lan Yu's eyes turned cold at the mention of the Holy Divine Fire Art. She did not know why the Holy Light Religion Leader would bestow upon her an incomplete version of the technique. However, she was fully confident in Chu Kuangren's judgment. If Chu Kuangren said something was off, she had no reason to doubt it.
"Alright, then let me accompany you to the Holy Light Religion."
Chu Kuangren chuckled.
With that, Chu Kuangren mobilized his spiritual thought and cast countless seals over the entire mountain range to guarantee that Nangong Huang and the others would remain undisturbed while they were in closed-door meditation. He also left a message for them.
"Judging from their cultivation levels, it would probably take at least a year and a half before they would finish refining their collections. We'll look for them by then."
"Let's go," Chu Kuangren said with a smile.
…
In the Holy Light Religion.
The Holy Light Religion Leader was reading through the messages on a jade scroll. In it was information from all over Emperor Road, including which sky-pride had fallen and which Sovereigns were showing signs of movements…
"Interesting. It seems like those old b*stards at the Dark Shadow Religion are showing signs of movement. Apparently, a Sovereign left the religious headquarter yesterday. Heaven knows where the Sovereign has gone."
The Holy Light Religion Leader chuckled lightly. He was a well-dressed man in his middle age, donned in a set of pristine white robes.
"They must be feeling the pinch now that Chu Kuangren has killed their Bachelor Sage. This almost guarantees that they've lost their chance at the Emperor's Throne." One of the elders chuckled and said.
"Chu Kuangren…"
The Holy Light Religion Leader felt his eyelid twitching at the mention of the familiar name. "We must pay attention to this person. Third Elder, you've seen him at the Forbidden Barren Wasteland. Is he as strong as the rumors describe him to be?"
The Third Elder's lighthearted smile soon turned into a stern expression. "If possible, I wish to never be at odds against him."
"Is that so? We must make the necessary preparations then."
The Holy Light Religion Leader pondered and said.
The Third Elder was surprised. "Are you putting that plan into motion?"
"Yes, it's about time anyway. I've instructed the Bachelor Sage to make the necessary preparations and delivered a message to the Maiden Sage to return."
"Let's hope everything goes smoothly."
The Third Elder understood the grave importance of the matter at hand.
He would have been optimistic in the past. However, ever since he returned from the Forbidden Barren Wasteland, he was constantly haunted by a feeling of unease.
It seemed like Lan Yu was rather close to Chu Kuangren.
At that instance, one of the wind chimes in the study room interrupted their conversation.
The Holy Light Religion Leader cast a strand of spiritual power into the wind chime.
"What is it?"
"My leader, the Maiden Sage has returned. She has brought someone along with her."
"Oh, she has returned. Who did she bring?"
"Chu Kuangren."
The Holy Light Religion Leader and the Third Elder both went silent for a moment. After a while, the Holy Light Religion Leader said, "Alright."
The wind chime then resumed to its former calmness.
However, the Holy Light Religion and the Third Elder were feeling anything but calm.
"Looks like the event has preceded our plan. Chu Kuangren… Fine, I shall go and see for myself what the legendary sky-pride is all about as well."
The Holy Light Religion Leader said.
He put on his diadem and exited the study room with his staff in hand.
In the Holy Light's Temple.
A group of followers was curiously assessing a white-clothed guest that had arrived at their premise. Standing before the statue of the God of Light, the guest's extraordinary aura had bestowed upon him a sense of holiness that outshined even the white jade statue.
Appalled at their thoughts, the followers quickly repeated the chantings of their religion in dedication to the God of Light.
"Greetings, Leader."
"Greetings, Leader."
Under the greetings from his followers, the Holy Light Religion Leader arrived at the temple and attracted Chu Kuangren's attention.
Similarly, the Holy Light Religion looked over to Chu Kuangren as well. There was a hint of surprise in his eyes.
At first glance, Chu Kuangren's extraordinary character was apparent, and his unprecedented aura had made him one of the most unique people in this world.
At his second glance, the Holy Light Religion Leader was dumbfounded. He realized that he could not sense nor assess Chu Kuangren's cultivation level at all.
How mysterious and enigmatic!
Chu Kuangren had left a lasting impression on the Holy Light Religion Leader.