The voice carried a strong sense of frustration at his unwillingness to strive.
Yet Ye Chen felt that this voice was no longer as ethereal as before—it seemed to have gained a certain weight, a commanding presence.
But he had no time to ponder, quickly checking his own condition.
To his astonishment, his cultivation had advanced considerably. The realm he had just broken through not long ago had now reached another critical point, merely waiting for a gentle push to break through once more!
Progress in cultivation was naturally something any cultivator would rejoice over.
But knowing that the benefits he had gained this time were nothing but scraps, Ye Chen could not feel any joy at all.
Moreover, all these gains originated from Chu Ge—someone he secretly despised and hated. How could he possibly accept them?
"Just a bit of cultivation… such benefits gained without merit, I, Ye Chen, do not even glance at them!"
"Furthermore, senior, isn't your praise exaggerated? A mere trifle cannot be called a great opportunity!"
He carried his own pride and bones of defiance, utterly unwilling to accept Chu Ge's favor.
"Ha! Spoken well!"
"Ye Chen, you're so high and mighty, so extraordinary! I painstakingly obtained these benefits for you, and yet you still disdain them?"
"If you refuse them, I have my ways to snatch them back. It would restore some of my own energy—I would be most willing!"
Ye Chen fell silent. There was no way he would allow the benefits he had swallowed to be taken back.
"Hmph! Short-sighted fool! Look around you. Those Great Powers, which of them did not gain insight from this Dao of Heaven and Earth?"
"Even the cultivator beside you, from the Sixth Heaven, had an almost negligible chance of reaching Great Power. Yet this opportunity allowed him to touch the threshold of breakthrough! And you still claim this is merely a trivial benefit?"
"Truly laughable ignorance!"
The voice mercilessly chastised Ye Chen, causing his pale face to flush red as blood surged.
He wanted to retort, to argue back, but the being in his mind was still of great use to him.
He had relied on this presence many times before—this was not the time to sever ties.
"Senior's lesson… is acknowledged. It is I who am short-sighted."
Ye Chen gritted his teeth, choosing to bow his head for the moment.
"This time, drawing the Daoic energy to aid you consumed a considerable portion of my soul power. It is possible that others have already sensed my presence. Be careful in your actions from now on."
The voice softened, giving both sides a way to step down gracefully.
"I understand, senior."
Ye Chen lowered his head, responding silently in his mind.
In the sky, the Dao of Heaven and Earth, which had lasted for some time, gradually dissipated. The swirling Daoic energies filling the void vanished entirely.
These energies did not merely disappear. Except for the tiny portion absorbed by others, the rest had merged into Chu Ge's body.
Within Chu Ge, a pale golden circular mirror now floated silently above his dantian sea of energy.
It was formed from the vast influx of pure Daoic energy combined with a portion of the Sacred Body's origin within him that had been activated.
Under the spectacle of the Dao of Heaven and Earth, the two had fused in a miraculous way!
This circular mirror was unique—one of a kind. Throughout the world, even in ancient records, no other mirror could compare!
It belonged solely to Chu Ge, possessing the ability to derive Daoic principles, comprehend myriad laws, and function as a supreme treasure!
From the moment it formed, Chu Ge knew it bore his mark, naturally imprinted by the portion of his Sacred Body's origin used in its creation.
'Truly, I have obtained a monumental opportunity this time.'
Chu Ge thought to himself.
This Dao of Heaven and Earth had not only granted him a supreme treasure but also elevated his cultivation, forging a flawless foundation!
First Heaven, Na Ling Realm;
Second Heaven, Condensing Seeds Realm.
Ordinary cultivators reached these realms with spiritual energy. He, however, cultivated using the purest Daoic energy, forging a foundation that was peerless in the world!
Even the Third Heaven, Opening Orifices Realm, was achieved through this trial. Dozens of orifices in his body had now opened!
Moreover, abundant pure Daoic energy remained in Chu Ge's body, ready for him to command.
The opportunities contained within the Spirit-Measuring Stone had also been obtained by Chu Ge.