The aura became more profound and desolate, much like the stars in the sky.
The entire transformation process took a very short time, Zhao Ya felt only a burst of indescribable tingling before it was completed.
Immediately, the closely linked yet always separated Azure Dragon True Power and Star-devouring True Power finally began to blend together like water and milk.
This process, however, was far more painful.
Zhao Ya felt as if his meridians were being slashed by knives, and his dantian was in an ocean-like tumult of pain.
But Zhao Ya understood that this was a normal phenomenon, so he gritted his teeth and endured it.
Who knows how much time passed.
Finally, the Azure Dragon True Power and Star-devouring True Power in the last meridian completed their fusion.
In that instant, Zhao Ya felt an indescribable comfort surging within him.
Between feeling ethereal, Zhao Ya suddenly felt a sense of heroic ambition, as if the world was within his grasp.
When he slowly opened his eyes, the first thing he saw was Guo Luming’s old and worried face.
Just moments ago, Guo Luming almost struck the gong in his hand.
Because Zhao Ya’s body suddenly started shaking violently, and a look of pain appeared on his face.
Guo Luming instinctively thought Zhao Ya had encountered some mishap, but with his rich experience, Guo Luming noticed that although Zhao Ya was in pain, his aura was steadily rising.
This meant he was likely fine.
So Guo Luming held back his worry until now.
"How is it?" Guo Luming immediately asked when he saw Zhao Ya open his eyes.
Zhao Ya smiled and then slowly said, "Master, I did it!"
Guo Luming could hardly believe his ears.
"You did it?"
"That’s right, just as you instructed, I’ve successfully transformed the Azure Dragon Root Map. Now the Azure Dragon True Power and Star-devouring True Power have fused into one," Zhao Ya said earnestly.
Guo Luming was also excited upon hearing this.
He never expected that the method he casually jotted down based on a hint from an ancient book would actually work.
"How could it happen so fast? Are you sure nothing went wrong?"
"What could go wrong? Just look at my current state, don’t you see?"
Zhao Ya stood up with a smile, his aura as extraordinary as the bright moon in the sky.
Guo Luming, with his vast experience, could naturally see that Zhao Ya’s state was indeed very different from before.
If the previous Zhao Ya was sharp and blade-like, now he finally had a bit of the essence of blending in harmoniously.
And this was exactly the sign of the Meridian Opening Realm reaching its peak, about to open the Primordial Sea.
Just twenty-one at the peak of Meridian Opening, barring any surprises, he might advance to the Primordial Sea before thirty.
It’s almost unbelievable to think about.
However, Guo Luming couldn’t contain his joy, bursting into hearty laughter: "Good, good, I really didn’t misjudge, Ya, you truly are an unprecedented talent in the Martial Dao."
"This is also thanks to your and the Azure Dragon Temple’s cultivation."
At this moment, Zhao Ya was filled with emotion.
Although his meridians were not fully opened yet, Zhao Ya was confident that with his current strength, even if the Jingping Saint came back to life, he wouldn’t have to struggle so much or even summon the Azure Dragon into himself to defeat him.
As for the sects from beyond the world, they were even less of a concern.
Thinking of his journey from a menial worker at an Escort Agency to a man standing at the pinnacle of the Martial Dao, the hardships were self-evident, but Zhao Ya felt it was worth it.
Because to achieve eternal life, besides having a long lifespan, powerful strength is indispensable.
"No need to be overly modest, both I and the Azure Dragon Temple haven’t helped you much. Most of the path was walked by you, and if we delve into it, the Azure Dragon Temple actually owes you more," Guo Luming sighed.
Zhao Ya didn’t continue on this topic because the most important thing now was not this but addressing Guo Luming’s longevity issue.
"Master, extend your hand!" Zhao Ya said.
Guo Luming was slightly taken aback but obediently extended his hand.
Zhao Ya crouched down, held Guo Luming’s meridian gates with both hands, and then a powerful true power surged into Guo Luming’s body.
"Ya, you..." Guo Luming was shocked and just wanted to speak but was interrupted by Zhao Ya.
"Master, hold your breath, and concentrate, do not resist, otherwise all previous efforts will be wasted."
Helpless, Guo Luming had no choice but to hold his breath, focus, and release his internal defenses.
Once the true power entered the body, Zhao Ya finally understood how severe Guo Luming’s injuries were.
The majority of the meridians were damaged and atrophied, the five viscera and six viscera’s qi and blood weakened, and even the bones were covered with fine cracks.
It was imaginable how much pain Guo Luming had endured to last until now.
Zhao Ya’s expression was serious as he manipulated the true power to clear and repair the congested meridians in Guo Luming’s body.
This process took the longest, taking over an hour.
White steam rose from Zhao Ya’s head, a phenomenon caused by the rapid circulation of qi and blood.
Guo Luming’s face turned unnaturally flushed.
Finally, after circulating the true power throughout Guo Luming’s meridians and roughly repairing the damage, Zhao Ya directed a wisp of true power into Guo Luming’s dantian.
After completing all this, Zhao Ya withdrew the true power, released his hands, and took several steps back.
"Huff, huff!"
Zhao Ya took several deep breaths, the white steam he exhaled mixed with gray and black hues, dispersing after several moments.
After finishing all this, he looked at Guo Luming once more, whose complexion was rosy and eyes spirited.
Though his hair was still gray and the wrinkles on his face remained unchanged, his overall state of mind was much better than before.
He looked at Zhao Ya, whose face was slightly pale, with a complex expression and finally sighed.
"Ya, why did you bother, wasting such precious true power to heal a dying man like me?"
Zhao Ya smiled, "Master, previously I was helpless and could only watch you grow old bit by bit, but now that I have a method, I can’t just stand by."
"I have infused a wisp of the fused true power into your dantian. Master, comprehend it well; you should soon grasp its essence."
"Once you begin practicing it, you might turn misfortune into a blessing and take your cultivation even further."
Guo Luming was amused.
"Alright, since that’s the case, I’ll give it a try. I don’t seek to advance further, just not to be a burden to you."
Actually, no one truly desires to die.
Guo Luming is no exception.
It’s not that he fears death, but he can’t let go of the vast Azure Dragon Temple.
Before, he had tried everything to heal his internal injuries but was eventually forced to give up.
But now, with the hope of life reignited, Guo Luming’s fighting spirit was renewed.
His ability to stay in the library for decades, diligently studying the martial path, attests to his steadfast resolve.
Seeing Guo Luming’s state, Zhao Ya was relieved.
No matter what, at least Guo Luming was temporarily out of mortal danger.
After leaving the library and returning to the courtyard, Zhao Ya reopened the attribute panel.
Name: Zhao Ya. Age: 21. Remaining Life: 10,211 (+12 days) years
Skills: Eight Vajra Longevity Skill (Returning to the Essence 39%)
Wind-Slaying Saber Technique (Extraordinary to Saint)
Immovable Ming King Fist (Returning to the Essence 99%)
Stepping on Snow Without Leaving Traces (Extraordinary to Saint)
Spirit Turtle Hibernation Technique (Returning to the Essence 99%)
Great Stone-Throwing Hand (Peak Performance 99%)
Golden Body Armor Technique (Returning to the Essence 99%)
Planting Lotus in Fire (Returning to the Essence 99%)
[Brain unlock progress: 3%]
As expected.
After successfully fusing Azure Dragon True Power and Star-devouring True Power, Zhao Ya’s remaining life directly broke through the ten-thousand-year mark.
Not only that, Zhao Ya felt his combat power had increased significantly.
Although I still don’t know what the Primordial Sea realm is like.
But Zhao Ya was confident, not seeing it as a hindrance.
While Zhao Ya was making his breakthrough, a team arrived on the official road dozens of miles from the Azure Dragon Temple.
Liang Xin’an in the team looked up at the towering mountain in the distance and said faintly, "Is that the site of the Azure Dragon Temple?"