"Lu Changsheng... Isn't that Senior Brother Lu, who once suppressed an entire generation of both the Immortal Dao and Martial Dao?"
"Didn't Senior Brother Lu forge his Dao Foundation over a year ago and head off to cultivate in the third layer of the Ancient Region? Has he returned already?"
"Still, Senior Brother Lu forged his Dao Foundation only one or two years ago at most. How does he dare take this matter upon himself? You have to understand, Dao Lord Kongling is one of the Ziyang Immortal Sect's top Dao Lords, ranked among their top three. Even Hall Master Zhong Yu was no match for him."
"But Senior Brother Lu seemed to pin down Dao Lord Kongling's magic treasure just now! Such strength already appears to surpass Hall Master Zhong Yu's. Could Senior Brother Lu's strength really have grown tenfold, or even a hundredfold, in just one or two years?"
"Judging by Dao Lord Kongling's expression, he seems extremely wary of Senior Brother Lu. I'm afraid Senior Brother Lu's strength has truly reached a terrifying level..."
Seeing Lu Changsheng's figure hovering in the void, the surrounding Ancient Region Heavenly Sect disciples erupted into an uproar.
They were all too familiar with Lu Changsheng.
Most of these disciples were in the Divine Gang or Divine Treasury realms.
They had personally experienced the dread of being completely dominated by Lu Changsheng.
Back when Lu Changsheng was in the Divine Treasury realm, he had crushed everything in his path.
Yet no matter how glorious Lu Changsheng had been back then, once he forged a Dao Foundation, his opponents became Dao Foundation powerhouses and Foundation Establishment Dao Lords.
Could Lu Changsheng really rival the pinnacle Dao Foundation experts in just one or two short years?
Even rivaling Dao Lord Kongling seemed too hard for them to believe.
However, the thoughts of these Divine Gang and Divine Treasury disciples did not matter.
Dao Lord Kongling was deeply wary!
Dao Lord Kongling had actually heard the name Lu Changsheng a long time ago.
Back when Lu Changsheng was still in the Divine Treasury realm, he had suppressed an entire generation of the Immortal Dao and Martial Dao.
To the Immortal Dao, that was an earth-shattering event.
Even Dao Lord Kongling had marveled at it.
For a mere martial artist to suppress immortal cultivators was inconceivable in itself.
More importantly, Dao Lord Kongling had received news not long ago.
News from the Tianluo Mountains in the third layer of the Ancient Region.
Lu Changsheng had slaughtered all who stood in his path within the secret realm, and had even blocked the exit outside.
Single-handedly, he had slain Dao Lord Dongyang and Dao Lord Shouxu.
Though Dao Lord Kongling stayed at the Ziyang Immortal Sect's mountain gate, he too had once roamed the third layer of the Ancient Region.
He knew well the illustrious reputations of Dao Lord Dongyang and Dao Lord Shouxu.
Within the Ziyang Immortal Sect's mountain gate, Dao Lord Kongling's strength ranked among the top three.
Yet compared to Dao Lord Dongyang and Dao Lord Shouxu, Dao Lord Kongling was simply inadequate.
There was no comparison at all.
After all, those two had hopes of reaching the Golden Core realm.
Whereas Dao Lord Kongling had no hope of achieving a Golden Core in this lifetime.
Yet even two such terrifying top Dao Lords had been slain by Lu Changsheng.
Lu Changsheng had even been hailed as "invincible among Dao Foundation cultivators."
For now, this news was only circulating among the higher echelons of the Ancient Region at or above the Dao Foundation and Foundation Establishment levels.
However, Dao Lord Kongling had verified it repeatedly—it was real!
Dao Lord Dongyang and Dao Lord Shouxu truly had perished at Lu Changsheng's hands.
Therefore, seeing Lu Changsheng suddenly appear at the Ancient Region Heavenly Sect's mountain gate, Dao Lord Kongling felt his heart tremble, and the urge to retreat immediately sprouted within him.
Avenging his disciple?
The Ancient Region Heavenly Sect breaking the rules?
Did any of that matter?
Did it matter in the face of absolute strength?
When it was time to back down, one had to back down!
Thinking of this, Dao Lord Kongling took a deep breath, fixed his eyes on Lu Changsheng, and spoke in a deep voice, word by word: "Fellow Daoist Lu, this Dao Lord was too hasty in this matter.
"Since your noble sect has already apologized and made amends, and Elder Wen only killed by accident in a momentary slip, let us conclude this matter here.
"What does Fellow Daoist Lu think?"
Dao Lord Kongling's words left countless Ancient Region Heavenly Sect disciples utterly dumbfounded.
Even the Ziyang Immortal Sect disciples who had come with Dao Lord Kongling were equally stunned, unable to believe their ears.
Just moments ago, he had been fierce and domineering, self-righteously demanding that Elder Wen pay the price.
He had even been ready to slaughter Zhong Yu alongside him.
How had his attitude done a complete hundred-and-eighty-degree turn now?
Was he... backing down?
"Did Dao Lord Kongling just back down?"
"Just a moment ago, even Hall Master Zhong Yu couldn't do anything against Dao Lord Kongling. In his fury, Dao Lord Kongling was even going to kill Zhong Yu too, and now it ends in such a rushed wrap-up?"
"Dao Lord Kongling's drastic shift in attitude was all because Lu Changsheng appeared, wasn't it?"
"Just Lu Changsheng showing up was enough to make Dao Lord Kongling yield?"
"Dao Lord Kongling had never met Lu Changsheng before. That means Lu Changsheng's name alone made Dao Lord Kongling back down immediately and seek to settle the matter. Everyone should understand what that implies..."
"Just what did Lu Changsheng do in the third layer of the Ancient Region to make Dao Lord Kongling fear him like a tiger? Truly unbelievable."
Many found it impossible to believe.
Dao Lord Kongling's excuses were merely superficial talk.
No one would believe them.
They knew very well that it was all because Lu Changsheng had stepped in to take this matter on.
If Dao Lord Kongling didn't back down, his only choice would be to fight Lu Changsheng.
Clearly, it was far more than Dao Lord Kongling merely lacking confidence in victory.
If he merely lacked confidence in defeating Lu Changsheng, Dao Lord Kongling would hardly need to act so frightened.
Yet here he was, directly capitulating.
This proved that Lu Changsheng's strength was likely far beyond everyone's imagination.
Only Dao Lord Kongling knew clearly:
If he truly fought Lu Changsheng, death would be his certain fate!
"As you wish, Dao Lord Kongling."
Lu Changsheng was somewhat surprised as well.
However, since Dao Lord Kongling had found a way to step down and directly backed off, Lu Changsheng would not press the matter aggressively.
It could be considered letting Dao Lord Kongling off the hook.
If they had truly fought, Lu Changsheng could have annihilated Dao Lord Kongling with a flip of his hand.
"Let us go."
Without the slightest hesitation, Dao Lord Kongling immediately led the disciples of the Ziyang Immortal Sect away, transforming into a streak of flowing light that vanished into the horizon.
Silence!
The surroundings were dead silent; even a falling pin could be heard.
Everyone exchanged stunned glances.
They had all been waiting to watch the show.
And this was how it ended?
Before this, Dao Lord Kongling had been clamoring outside the Ancient Region Heavenly Sect's mountain gate not just for a day or two, but for many days.
Zhong Yu and Elder Wen had both avoided meeting him previously.
Today, Elder Wen had finally been unable to hold back and showed himself.
And true to everyone's expectations, Dao Lord Kongling had directly struck at Elder Wen and Hall Master Zhong Yu.
Yet as soon as Lu Changsheng appeared,
merely giving his name had caused Dao Lord Kongling to yield and hurriedly flee the Ancient Region Heavenly Sect.
Could a mere name carry such terrifying renown?
"Lu Changsheng... must have done something earth-shattering in the third layer of the Ancient Region, just like when he was in the Divine Treasury realm, suppressing an entire generation of the Immortal Dao and Martial Dao. Otherwise, why would Dao Lord Kongling behave like this—fleeing in panic at the mere mention of his name?"
"Dao Lord Kongling is an illustrious top Dao Lord himself. For him to flee in such disarray is truly unbelievable."
"Lu Changsheng is truly heaven's favored child, his talent beyond imagination. In just one or two years from Divine Treasury to forging his Dao Foundation, he has already carved out an illustrious reputation at the Dao Foundation level."
"I heard some rumors, though I don't know if they're true. In the third layer of the Ancient Region, Lu Changsheng seemed to have accomplished something earth-shaking in the Tianluo Mountains. He even earned the title 'Invincible Among Dao Foundation'..."
Many disciples discussed the matter excitedly.
Yet they did not know the specific details about Lu Changsheng.
Even if they knew something, it was only scattered fragments they could not verify.
Only certain high-ranking sect members—martial artists at or above the Dao Foundation level—might know a thing or two.
Elder Wen did not know of Lu Changsheng's renown.
However, he glanced at Zhong Yu, then stepped before Lu Changsheng and bowed respectfully, saying, "Thank you, Junior Brother Lu, for stepping in and saving me in the nick of time."
Zhong Yu also understood roughly that the heights of Lu Changsheng's fame were likely far beyond his imagination.
One only had to look at Dao Lord Kongling.
He didn't even dare raise a hand against Lu Changsheng, fleeing in disgrace at the sound of his name alone.
Zhong Yu also sighed with emotion. "Lu Changsheng, you truly are... unbelievable. Even Dao Lord Kongling lost all his prior arrogance upon hearing your name and ran away on the spot.
"In the entire Ancient Region Heavenly Sect, you are probably the only one with such deterrent power.
"Lu Changsheng, you are now undeniably the number one Dao Foundation in the Ancient Region Heavenly Sect!"
As Zhong Yu's words fell, everyone's expressions changed drastically.
The number one Dao Foundation of the Ancient Region Heavenly Sect!
What kind of glory was that?
In the entire Ancient Region Heavenly Sect, the number of Dao Foundation cultivators was certainly not small.
There were many powerful figures among them.
Yet there had never been a universally acknowledged number one Dao Foundation.
Now that Zhong Yu, the Master of the Hall of Law Enforcement, had personally declared Lu Changsheng to be the sect's number one Dao Foundation, it was essentially set in stone.
Looking at Dao Lord Kongling, who could object?
Lu Changsheng smiled faintly. "Hall Master, I am part of the Ancient Region Heavenly Sect as well.
"By the way, I would like to obtain the Divine Ability realm cultivation methods as soon as possible."
Zhong Yu nodded. "Good, I will take you right away.
"Elder Wen, this matter is settled here. Do not provoke Dao Lord Kongling on your own initiative in the future," Zhong Yu admonished.
"Understood, Hall Master."
Elder Wen felt a tremor in his heart.
What had he just heard?
Lu Changsheng wanted to obtain the Divine Ability realm cultivation methods as soon as possible.
Elder Wen knew all too well what that implied.
Only a Dao Foundation martial artist who had cultivated all of their laws to consummation was qualified to apply for the sect's Divine Ability realm methods.
Since Lu Changsheng was applying for them, it meant he had most likely brought all of his laws to consummation.
He had hopes of condensing a divine ability!
Could it be that after several centuries, the Ancient Region Heavenly Sect would birth another Divine Ability realm ancestor?
Zhong Yu naturally noticed Elder Wen's expression.
Yet he said nothing.
This was not some top secret anyway.
Given Lu Changsheng's current strength, who could kill him?
Throughout the entire Ancient Region, Lu Changsheng was extremely safe.
There was no such worry as the tree standing tallest in the forest being the first to be destroyed by the wind.
Lu Changsheng was no longer a tender sapling; he was a towering tree!
"Lu Changsheng, follow me."
With that, Zhong Yu treaded through the air, leading Lu Changsheng toward the Technique Transmission Hall.
"The Divine Ability realm..."
Watching Lu Changsheng's departing back, Elder Wen felt immense emotion stirring in his heart.
Back when Lu Changsheng had first arrived at the Ancient Region Heavenly Sect, he had already been a Dao Foundation elder.
Now, Lu Changsheng had hopes of condensing a divine ability and becoming a Divine Ability realm ancestor, while he remained a Dao Foundation elder.
Comparisons between people were truly futile!
Still, this represented hope for the Ancient Region Heavenly Sect.
A new Divine Ability realm ancestor would have an enormous impact on the entire Ancient Region.
Perhaps in three years, five years, or even ten years.
Now, it remained to be seen when Lu Changsheng would condense a divine ability and ascend to the Divine Ability realm.
Meanwhile, Lu Changsheng followed Zhong Yu to the Technique Transmission Hall.
A Technique Transmission Hall master received them in person.
"Hall Master Liu, this is Lu Changsheng.
"He wishes to apply for the Divine Ability realm methods.
"As for the rules, we all know them. Lu Changsheng, show Hall Master Liu," Zhong Yu said to Lu Changsheng.
This Hall Master Liu did not say a word, merely staring straight at Lu Changsheng.
Lu Changsheng wasn't sure if he was mistaken, but he sensed a slight hint of "fervor" in Hall Master Liu's gaze.
Lu Changsheng nodded.
*Buzz.*
In the next instant, his brain domain descended.
Moreover, the eight consummate laws within his brain domain manifested directly.
This rendered Lu Changsheng's brain domain terrifying beyond measure, suppressing Hall Master Liu in an instant.
"Eight laws?"
"And all eight laws are at consummation! Inconceivable, truly inconceivable..."
A look of awe appeared in Hall Master Liu's eyes.
He knew very well how difficult it was to bring a law to consummation.
Even though Lu Changsheng made cultivating laws seem easy, achieving consummation with just a few law divine stones,
in reality, for other Dao Foundation martial artists, even with law divine stones, bringing a law to consummation remained exceedingly difficult.
At best, their chances were merely somewhat better.
"Hall Master Liu, what do you think?" Zhong Yu asked.
Hall Master Liu nodded. "Naturally, there is no issue. Lu Changsheng has cultivated all eight laws to consummation, so he is indeed qualified to access the Divine Ability realm methods.
"However, the Divine Ability realm methods are somewhat special.
"Mhm, Junior Brother Lu, follow me."
Hall Master Liu was very courteous to Lu Changsheng.
After all, this was a future Divine Ability realm ancestor; how could he not be courteous?
Dao Foundation martial artists generally addressed one another as fellow apprentice brothers.
Lu Changsheng nodded, bid Zhong Yu farewell with a smile, and then followed Hall Master Liu deep into the Technique Transmission Hall.
This was not Lu Changsheng's first time visiting the Technique Transmission Hall.
Yet the place Hall Master Liu brought him to was clearly a closely guarded secret.
Lu Changsheng had not known about it before.
It seemed to be subterranean, descending deeper and deeper underground.
Eventually, they arrived before a great hall.
"Go on inside. That is where the Divine Ability realm methods are kept.
"However, it is somewhat unique inside. Even I am not qualified to enter. Only a Dao Foundation martial artist who meets the conditions for condensing a divine ability is permitted to step within," Hall Master Liu stopped and explained to Lu Changsheng.
Lu Changsheng nodded.
Then, he walked directly toward the great hall.
*Rumble...*
The stone doors of the hall slowly rose.
Lu Changsheng walked inside, and the stone doors slowly lowered once more.
This hall seemed capable of cutting off all perception and probing.
For instance, Lu Changsheng's Perception Domain was unable to penetrate it.
In all likelihood, the divine sense of the Immortal Dao system could not check inside either.
The hall was empty, but when Lu Changsheng looked closely,
wasn't there a figure seated in the center of the hall?
Sitting cross-legged on the floor,
eyes closed.
"Who is there?" Lu Changsheng asked.
How could a figure appear for no apparent reason in a place like this?
Yet Lu Changsheng did not act rashly.
He had a rough guess.
Anyone who could be here had to be a martial artist of the Ancient Region Heavenly Sect.
In fact, even the Dao Foundation level was not qualified.
It was very likely a Divine Ability realm ancestor!
"Three hundred years... Someone has finally come..."
Suddenly, the old man spoke.
"Um..."
"You are..." Lu Changsheng asked.
"This old man is Lu Tong, Supreme Elder of the Ancient Region Heavenly Sect."
Lu Changsheng's mind shook.
Lu Tong!
One of the Ancient Region Heavenly Sect's Divine Ability realm ancestors was indeed Lu Tong.
"Greetings, Ancestor!"
Lu Changsheng bowed respectfully.
For someone in the Divine Ability realm, addressing him as "Ancestor" was entirely fitting.
Every Divine Ability realm expert possessed a lifespan of at least eight hundred years.
In truth, that was not much different from a Golden Core True Person's thousand-year lifespan.
"Ancestor, have you been here the entire time?"
Lu Changsheng looked around.
The ancestor had just mentioned "over three hundred years." Had Lu Tong really stayed here for more than three centuries?
As if knowing what Lu Changsheng wanted to ask, Lu Tong smiled faintly. "I can come here whenever I wish, and leave whenever I wish.
"How could anyone spend centuries in such a tiny place?
"This old man merely arrived an incense stick's time before you."
Lu Changsheng understood.
An incense stick's time earlier.
That meant Ancestor Lu Tong had long known he was coming here.
Either Hall Master Liu or Zhong Yu had notified Lu Tong.
However, Lu Tong shook his head. "Sitting in oversight of the Ancient Region Heavenly Sect, there is nothing within this sect that escapes my knowledge.
"That includes your terrifying comprehension. From the Divine Treasury realm to forging your Dao Foundation, your comprehension has truly left me in awe—to think that with the passage of time, your comprehension could surge dramatically yet again.
"Such talent is virtually unheard of; this old man has never encountered anything like it.
"After all, if it were only your previous level of comprehension, it would have been impossible for you to qualify to condense a divine ability in such a short span of time."
*Boom.*
Ancestor Lu Tong's words struck Lu Changsheng's heart with a jolt.
His mind even buzzed.
It turned out that Ancestor Lu Tong had taken notice of him as far back as the Divine Treasury realm.
All these years, Ancestor Lu Tong had been silently "watching" Lu Changsheng.
Even the changes in Lu Changsheng's comprehension had been seen clearly by Ancestor Lu Tong.
Furthermore, Ancestor Lu Tong had determined that Lu Changsheng's comprehension had undergone a qualitative transformation.
Otherwise, it would have been impossible to bring his laws to consummation in so short a time, reaching the point of condensing a divine ability.
Before Ancestor Lu Tong, Lu Changsheng seemed to have no secrets left.
Yet did that matter?
In truth, it did not.
Ancestor Lu Tong smiled and said, "There is no need to be nervous. Truly, you need not worry. Comprehension is inborn, and everyone has their own uniqueness. Perhaps your uniqueness happens to be your comprehension.
"While your comprehension is indeed terrifying and far surpasses ordinary people, anyone capable of condensing a divine ability possesses no small amount of comprehension themselves.
"Now that you have come this far, just one step away from condensing a divine ability, you needn't worry too much about a few personal secrets."
Lu Changsheng nodded.
Indeed, he had cared too much about his "comprehension."
Yet in the eyes of outsiders, this comprehension was merely innate.
The only difference was that most people's comprehension was fixed,
while Lu Changsheng's could continuously improve.
Previously, Lu Changsheng had needed to conceal it.
Because back then, he was weak.
Now, however, he could hardly be called weak.
There was no need to hide it anymore.
Lu Changsheng pondered for a moment. This Ancestor Lu Tong before him appeared kindly and gentle, his attitude warm and genial.
With that in mind, Lu Changsheng took a deep breath and asked in a low voice, "May I ask Ancestor, how does one condense a divine ability?"
Achieving a divine ability was the very purpose of this journey.
"Divine abilities..."
"Lu Changsheng, you should know of Golden Core True Persons, right? 'Swallowing a Golden Core into the belly, my destiny is mine to command, not the heavens.'
"In the Immortal Dao system, a Golden Core True Person can also be described as obtaining the Golden Core Dao fruit! The so-called 'attaining the Dao' refers to Golden Core True Persons.
"It is the same for our Martial Dao. Once you condense a divine ability, it is equivalent to obtaining a divine ability Dao fruit."
Lu Changsheng nodded.
Ancestor Lu Tong explained in great detail.
These were basic fundamentals.
Yet fundamentals were sometimes of utmost importance.
"A Golden Core True Person condensing a Golden Core is defying the heavens and changing their fate.
"Divine abilities are the same. The laws comprehended in the Dao Foundation realm are, in the end, only laws within the brain domain. Although they can manifest outward, they are not the same as the true laws of heaven and earth in the outside world; it is equivalent to us 'simulating' the laws in advance.
"To condense a divine ability, you must transform these 'simulated' laws in your brain domain into the true laws of heaven and earth.
"This requires using the laws within your brain domain to clash against the laws of heaven and earth, gradually intercepting a sliver of heaven and earth's true laws to integrate into the laws within your brain domain.
"Afterward, these true laws of heaven and earth fuse, reorganize, and align with one another to form a divine ability Dao fruit. In truth, it is similar to cultivating divine techniques. If you have deduced divine techniques yourself, you will understand this even better.
"In a sense, divine techniques are simulations of condensing divine abilities.
"Once you have a divine ability Dao fruit, the divine ability's potential is largely set. At that time, certain special items are required to allow the divine ability Dao fruit to fully manifest into a true divine ability, thereby wielding terrifying, earth-shattering power!"
As Lu Tong finished speaking, it felt as though a flash of lightning streaked through Lu Changsheng's mind, and everything became crystal clear.
He understood.
The path of the Martial Dao progressed step by step, each building upon the last.
It wasn't as if a new realm suddenly appeared with no connection to the previous ones.
That was not how it worked at all.
On the contrary, martial realms were intimately intertwined.
For instance, condensing laws and cultivating divine techniques in the Dao Foundation realm
were actually laying the foundation for condensing divine abilities.
The more divine techniques one cultivated, and the more complex they were, the greater the assistance in condensing a divine ability.
And only consummate laws were qualified to intercept slivers of true laws from heaven and earth, integrating them to become the martial artist's own true laws.
"So deducing divine techniques is very important?" Lu Changsheng asked.
"Yes, deducing divine techniques is crucial.
"After all, the process of deduction is, in a sense, equivalent to condensing a divine ability.
"Divine abilities are further divided into lesser divine abilities, greater divine abilities, and boundless divine abilities.
"Generally, the divine ability Dao fruits that are condensed are lesser divine abilities. Only if their potential is immense can they possibly transform into greater divine abilities.
"However, this thing called potential is closely tied to the laws used when condensing the divine ability, as well as to the prior deduction of divine techniques.
"Therefore, if you have not deduced divine techniques before, you must deduce some on your own before condensing a divine ability no matter what. Even if you only deduce very simple divine techniques, you still must do so.
"On one hand, it leaves some foundational heritage for the sect. On the other, it accumulates experience for condensing your divine ability and enhances its power."
Lu Changsheng understood.
So condensing a divine ability was quite similar to cultivating divine techniques.
Yet when it came to deducing divine techniques...
wasn't his Lesser Five Elements Annihilation a divine technique he had deduced himself?
Moreover, it was a top-tier compound divine technique.
Of course, Lu Tong did not know that Lu Changsheng had deduced the Lesser Five Elements Annihilation divine technique.
After all, Lu Tong had not gone to the third layer of the Ancient Region to watch Lu Changsheng.
Nor had Lu Changsheng ever displayed the Lesser Five Elements Annihilation divine technique at the Ancient Region Heavenly Sect's mountain gate.
"Ancestor, among the ancestors of our Ancient Region Heavenly Sect, how many have mastered greater divine abilities, or condensed a greater divine ability Dao fruit?" Lu Changsheng asked.
"Condensed a greater divine ability Dao fruit?"
Lu Tong laughed. "In the entire Ancient Region Heavenly Sect—in fact, in the entire Ancient Region—not a single martial artist has ever condensed a greater divine ability Dao fruit!
"A greater divine ability Dao fruit... that is not something that can be condensed in our Ancient Region.
"Essentially, what the various major sects throughout the Ancient Region condense are all lesser divine abilities. Yet even among lesser divine abilities, the differences are like night and day, with vast disparities in power.
"A newly mastered divine ability will certainly not possess great might right away. One must rely on diligent cultivation over time.
"In short, you don't need to overthink it right now. You only need to consider how to successfully condense a divine ability Dao fruit."
Lu Changsheng understood.
"How many divine ability Dao fruits can one condense?" Lu Changsheng inquired further.
"That depends on how many laws you possess.
"Different combinations of laws can condense certain divine abilities. Or, each law can condense a single divine ability, though divine abilities of a single law are generally rather weak.
"Therefore, it is best to deduce divine techniques beforehand, and then attempt to use the laws to condense divine ability Dao fruits.
"You possess eight laws, so theoretically you could condense many divine ability Dao fruits, but in practice, divine abilities are about quality rather than quantity."
Lu Changsheng asked about a few more fundamentals regarding the Divine Ability realm.
He now had a basic understanding of how to condense a divine ability Dao fruit.
Condensing divine abilities depended on potential.
The higher the potential, the greater the divine ability's might.
"One last question.
"Ancestor, you have only spoken of condensing divine ability Dao fruits.
"Once a divine ability Dao fruit is condensed, how does it transform into a true divine ability?" Lu Changsheng asked.
He had listened very attentively.
What was condensed using laws was a divine ability Dao fruit.
To transform a divine ability Dao fruit into a divine ability, one final step remained.
This final step was naturally part of the progression without insurmountable difficulty, yet it was the most critical step.
If the divine ability Dao fruit did not transform, it would forever remain merely a Dao fruit, unable to become a true divine ability.
Lu Tong's brow furrowed slightly.
However, these things would have to be told to Lu Changsheng sooner or later anyway.
Thinking of this, Lu Tong took a deep breath and said in a grave tone, "Once a divine ability Dao fruit is condensed, achieving a divine ability is essentially guaranteed. However, for a divine ability Dao fruit to transform into a true divine ability, a crucial treasure is required: Heavenly Spirit Water.
"This treasure does not exist in the Ancient Region, nor does it exist anywhere in the Five Regions. One can only obtain Heavenly Spirit Water by going to the Holy Land.
"However, if you can condense a divine ability Dao fruit, our Ancient Region Heavenly Sect still has some Heavenly Spirit Water stored away. It can certainly lend you a helping hand to transform your divine ability Dao fruit into a true divine ability, so you need not worry about that.
"What you need to focus on is how to condense a divine ability with even greater potential.
"In truth, the other ancestors and I place high hopes on you. Your talent and comprehension are unimaginable, far greater than ours. Not a single person in the entire Ancient Region has ever condensed a greater divine ability Dao fruit.
"Perhaps you hold hope of condensing a greater divine ability Dao fruit. Therefore, before condensing your divine ability Dao fruit, you must proceed with utmost caution and ensure you are fully prepared.
"If need be, deduce divine techniques several more times. Spending a decade or several decades is nothing."
Lu Changsheng listened earnestly to Lu Tong's words.
Lu Changsheng was a martial artist of the Ancient Region Heavenly Sect.
His ascension to the Divine Ability realm would bring immense benefits to the Ancient Region Heavenly Sect.
Therefore, Ancestor Lu Tong spared no effort in helping Lu Changsheng.
"Very well, here are several divine ability secret manuals. They are all divine abilities condensed by me, the other ancestors, and past forebears. You may take them and study them thoroughly.
"However, I do not advise cultivating directly according to them. After all, even if martial artists comprehend laws of the same attribute, there are many differences in detail, and the divine abilities condensed will surely differ.
"Moreover, we all only condensed lesser divine abilities, and our talent is nowhere near yours. If you wish to condense a greater divine ability Dao fruit, our divine abilities can only serve as reference."
Lu Changsheng solemnly received the Divine Ability realm secret manuals.
These were the sect's most precious treasures.
They represented the true foundation of the Ancient Region Heavenly Sect!
And now, this heritage was placed into Lu Changsheng's hands.
"All right. There is a cultivation chamber inside the hall, very suitable for secluded cultivation.
"If you wish to leave, that is fine too, but the Divine Ability realm manuals cannot be taken outside. You must memorize them here before departing."
Lu Changsheng nodded.
Although Ancestor Lu Tong could observe throughout the Ancient Region Heavenly Sect,
Lu Changsheng was still accustomed to cultivating in his own immortal cave.
Thus, Lu Changsheng first entered the cultivation chamber and opened each of the divine ability manuals.
Every one of these secret manuals was vast and profound.
They were the crystallization of the wisdom of every Divine Ability realm ancestor in the Ancient Region Heavenly Sect.
Memorizing them was no simple feat.
Even an ordinary divine ability manual required a long time to memorize gradually.
Let alone so many different manuals?
Roughly three days later, Lu Changsheng finally committed all the divine ability manuals firmly to memory.
"Ancestor, I plan to return and enter secluded cultivation."
"Very well, go."
Ancestor Lu Tong waved his hand, and the stone doors opened.
Lu Changsheng bowed once more, then turned and walked out of the hall.
"Perhaps it is merely an extravagant wish. Condensing a greater divine ability Dao fruit is far too difficult.
"In the entire Ancient Region, across one hundred thousand years, no one has ever condensed a greater divine ability Dao fruit.
"As for Lu Changsheng, it all depends on his fortune..." Ancestor Lu Tong murmured softly.
Then, Ancestor Lu Tong closed his eyes.
Outside the hall, a familiar figure still remained.
"Hall Master Liu, have you been waiting here this entire time?" Lu Changsheng asked.
"No, I merely came by each day to check.
"Junior Brother Lu, have you met the ancestor?"
It seemed Hall Master Liu knew of Lu Tong's presence.
"I have.
"I plan to return to my immortal cave for secluded cultivation," Lu Changsheng answered truthfully.
"Good. I will instruct everyone throughout the Ancient Region Heavenly Sect to ensure that no one disturbs your cave dwelling."
Lu Changsheng nodded, then left the Technique Transmission Hall and returned to his immortal cave.
Inside the immortal cave, Lu Changsheng sat cross-legged.
He began sorting through the contents in his mind.
"First, I must decide exactly how many divine ability Dao fruits to condense."
With a thought, his brain domain descended, enveloped by the eight laws.
In truth, this posed no difficulty for Lu Changsheng.
With divine abilities, quality mattered more than quantity.
What suited him best was what was optimal.
When Lu Changsheng had originally imprinted the eight law seeds, he had already formed a plan.
"The Spiritual Law can be set apart on its own. After all, the Spiritual Law is not of the same path as the other laws. Moreover, it is exceptionally special and rare, with undoubtedly immense potential, capable of condensing a Spiritual Dao fruit.
"Next are the five elements laws, which can condense a Five Elements Dao fruit.
"Finally, the four laws of earth, fire, water, and wind can be used to attempt condensing a Four Symbols Dao fruit.
"That makes three divine ability Dao fruits to condense, which should be plenty!"
Lu Changsheng had made his decision.
If all three divine ability Dao fruits could be condensed, it would certainly be extraordinary.
However, the most crucial factor was potential!
The potential of a divine ability Dao fruit was vital.
And to possess sufficient potential—or even condense a greater divine ability Dao fruit—he had to rely on deduction.
Testing through the deduction of divine techniques.
For other Dao Foundation martial artists, deducing divine techniques was a time-consuming and strenuous endeavor.
Deducing a single divine technique might take three to five years, and powerful divine techniques could take several decades.
Yet Lu Changsheng did not need that long.
A few months were enough!
No matter how powerful the technique, half a year to a year at most would suffice.
Thus, so long as Lu Changsheng continued to deduce, he was bound to create exceptionally formidable divine techniques,
laying a rock-solid foundation for condensing divine ability Dao fruits!
"Then let us begin the deduction with a spiritual divine technique..."
The Spiritual Law was just a single law.
Deducing a divine technique from only one law was the simplest.
Lu Changsheng began with the simplest approach, commencing his deductions.
Chapter 203