But Zhang Jian once again activated the immortal lamp in his hand. Cyan immortal light burst forth from the lamp, transforming his figure into a cyan light, breaking through the void and appearing out of nowhere in the stone tower space.
The stone tower of the ninth trial silently revealed a profound yellow path, and Zhang Jian stepped forward to walk out.
Above him, the earth-attribute ancestral Qi sun still shone, entirely golden, illuminating the boundless dao realm.
At this moment, the portal to the dao realm was already open, and Zhang Jian cast one last glance at this innate dao realm.
Hundreds of years were indeed not much time.
For him, this innate dao realm still held immense value, and if the opportunity arose, he should return to delve into it for a period.
In an instant, Zhang Jian gathered his thoughts and stepped out of the dao realm portal.
The next moment, he appeared directly atop Purple Mist Cliff.
On Purple Mist Cliff, numerous daoist monarchs and the immortal gods of Pure Yang Immortal Sect stood, having long awaited him.
Seeing this array, Zhang Jian smiled faintly.
Since the transformation into the divine body, he knew his status was forever altered.
To the side on Purple Mist Cliff, Daoist Monarch Qingxia and Bai Hua Fairy also witnessed the scene, with a faint smile gracing their beautiful faces.
Daoist Monarch Qingxia was prepared, while Bai Hua Fairy felt some admiration.
Such honor was unimaginable for a young immortal god to attain.
These veteran daoist monarchs, generally amiable and supportive of the young, would not lower themselves to personally welcome just any immortal.
Within the Pure Yang Immortal Hall, as the three completed their trials, they received unanimous approval from the Taiqing Celestial Lineage's daoist monarchs.
As promised, Daoist Monarch Pure Yang assigned significant responsibilities to them.
Three jade slips were given.
Water Virtue Star Monarch, Water Official Emperor, and Zhang Jian each received one.
Holding the jade slip, Zhang Jian's expression shifted.
Daoist Monarch Pure Yang gave him three missions.
The first was to perfect and repair several enormous ancient formation diagrams, which, though profound and unfathomable, had many flaws. Recognizing Zhang Jian's proficiency in the path of runes, Daoist Monarch Pure Yang tasked him with repairing and deploying these five ancient formation diagrams within three thousand years.
The second was to oversee one of the central earth ancestral acupoints in Donghua Realm, coordinating with the other immortals.
This earth ancestral acupoint was one of Donghua Realm's central hubs, entrusted to him, a testament to their confidence in his abilities.
The third was an obscure mission, to be revealed after the three thousand-year term concluded.
Zhang Jian remained indifferent.
Sustaining the earth ancestral acupoint would certainly be challenging, yet it assured him substantial gains in the Donghua Realm's ascension.
At the moment, Water Official Emperor and Water Virtue Star Monarch wore smiles, evidently pleased with their own rewards.
The hosts and guests enjoyed themselves.
New tasks in Donghua Realm's ascension might commence three thousand years hence, prompting Zhang Jian to first return to the Heavenly Court to continue his immortal duties.
Additionally, Zhang Jian knew that with his divine body, opportunities for promotion would soon arise.
Before returning to the Celestial Palace, King Yu summoned him again.
"Disciple pays respect to Grandmaster!"
In the side hall, Zhang Jian saluted respectfully upon seeing him.
His expression remained respectful, and King Yu smiled subtly, having no pressing matters but simply advising out of concern.
After brief conversation, King Yu pondered and spoke.
"Ah Yu, your transformation into the divine foundation is certainly cause for celebration, but henceforth, you must be vigilant, for you may become the prey for heterodox sects and various demon monarchs of the Demon Realm!"
"But generally, there's no need for excessive worry; as long as you're within the realms governed by the Heavenly Court, those demon monarchs dare not act recklessly!"
Zhang Jian's face grew slightly solemn, fully aware he was perhaps now coveted within the depths of the All Heavens Void.
A divine body could not remain concealed.
However, having enjoyed this benefit, he was prepared for the accompanying risks.
Yet, as King Yu stated, he was not overly concerned.
In the Celestial Realm, those powerful demons could do nothing to him for now, only needing to guard against overt and covert threats internally.
But within the Heavenly Court, and under the scrutiny of the Three Emperors Celestial Realm, even if certain immortal gods harbored ill will, their means to act were severely limited.
Simultaneously, Zhang Jian resolved not to venture outside the Celestial Realm's boundaries until he attained Daoist Monarch status, save for this exception in Donghua Realm.
This exception might be exploited by those with ulterior motives.
Humans die for wealth; birds perish for food!
Yet he could not relinquish this adventure.
"Grandmaster, disciple will be cautious!"
Zhang Jian solemnly promised.
Seeing Zhang Jian's demeanor, King Yu nodded slightly, then asked.
"Ah Yu, do you know how to cultivate the divine body?!"
Zhang Jian immediately responded, with cupped fists.
"Disciple listens to Grandmaster's teachings!"
Indeed, he was eager to understand this matter.
Though he possessed the divine body, deciphering the path of cultivation for himself required lengthy exploration.
"No need for severity!"
King Yu's lips curled into a slight smile.
He was in excellent spirits, displaying remarkable patience as he descended from the high seat and gazed at Zhang Jian.
"Cultivating the divine differs greatly from ordinary immortal gods, the divine has several additional paths!"
He enumerated them.
"Among them, the classic path is the road of evolution. As one endowed with new innate ancestral Qi, you may evolve numerous innate Dao Qi and postnatal Dao Qi, releasing them as seeds into the All Heavens Void, where they will merge and continuously feedback, aiding your clearer comprehension of the Path of Heaven and Earth!"
Hearing this, Zhang Jian's eyes widened.
Having condensed the Earth Emperor Ancestral Qi, he knew it resembled chaos, producing one from two, then three, then myriad things, enabling more innate Dao Qi and postnatal Dao Qi.
These Dao Qi, the greater their fusion into worlds, would offer substantial feedback.
Collecting 'patent fees,' with no intermediary deductions.
Unexpectedly, the thought of a certain Daoist Venerable flashed through Zhang Jian's mind.
He quickly discarded this dangerous notion.
Seeing Zhang Jian lost in thought, King Yu chuckled and continued.
"Alternatively, you can merge your ancestral Qi's power with various heavens and dimensions. The more dimensions merged, the stronger your Earth Emperor Ancestral Qi becomes, and with many heavens as practice grounds, your cultivation will be fluent!"
Zhang Jian nodded, expressing comprehension.
His ancestral Qi was only acknowledged by the Sea of Chaos Origin, not widely spread.
Broader dissemination naturally would invisibly enhance his destiny and dao practice.
But after contemplation, Zhang Jian spoke again.
"Grandmaster, this method of dissemination likely has pros and cons!"
King Yu laughed.
"It's delightful you considered this!"
"Indeed, as you mentioned, if the Earth Emperor Ancestral Qi merges with the All Heavens Void and dimensions, its properties—and even the essence of your dao fruit foundation—would soon be deduced by other immortal gods and great divine ability users!"
"Mystery is crucial to threatening the heavens, and as unknowns become knowns, you well understand the distinction!"
Zhang Jian furrowed his brow.
Knowing oneself and the adversary ensures victory in hundreds of battles. Should others gain deep insight into him and devise strategies accordingly, he could find himself in a passive position, vulnerable to attacks affecting his cultivation and dao path.
However, Earth Emperor Ancestral Qi would not remain static.
Provided his growth was swift enough, he needn't fear.
Thus he vowed, "Grandmaster, I will carefully assess the pros and cons!"
King Yu nodded lightly.
"Moreover, Donghua Realm's ascension poses immense risks, with you stationed at the central hub of the earth, rendering you a focal target of the outer demon gods. You must be prepared to avoid being caught off guard!"
Zhang Jian nodded slightly.
He would be extremely cautious about such matters.
Upon returning to the Celestial Realm, he would thoroughly prepare.
Later, Zhang Jian met Daoist Monarch Qingxia and Bai Hua Fairy, and together with the immortals, returned to the Central Celestial Realm.
After Zhang Jian's return to the Celestial Realm, an imperial decree from the Celestial Emperor arrived at Ling Yuan Emperor's Mansion.