Chapter 204.1: The Underdeveloped Twins

Transforming into streaks of light, Feng Kui and Tan Zui vanished from the seventh floor.

The two moved cautiously, slipping through the darkness, exchanging voice transmissions from time to time.

Feng Kui sneered, contempt written all over her face. "

Did he seriously order us to capture a bunch of First and Second Steps trash?

”

"

Who told Aoshi to recruit nothing but useless ancient gods? They can't even handle something this simple,

" Tan Zui said sarcastically, dripping with sarcasm toward Aoshi.

Though the two worked under Aoshi, they held little real respect for him. The new gods cared not about how talented Aoshi was. At the end of the day, a dog was a dog, and a servant was still a servant. His status would never change.

"

Enough. Let's hurry up and grab that bunch of ancient gods and report back. This Ancestral Land is creepy as hell, I don't want to stay here a second longer

," Feng Kui said.

"

Agreed. The sooner we're done, the sooner this ends

," Tan Zui replied.

***

Meanwhile, on the seventh floor, Aoshi gazed at the towering spire ahead. His expression grew complicated. "What secrets does this tower truly hold?"

To this day, he still didn't know how he broke through to the True God realm. The truth was just one step away.

However, unlike Aoshi, the new gods couldn't care less about it, as they didn't have to break through in the Mortal Heart World. In fact, his actions in the Ancestral Land had sowed dissatisfaction among many new gods. The investment was too great, while the returns too meager.

At that moment, an aged voice echoed in his mind.

—

Just now, three ancient Great Venerables descended upon Southward City.

Aoshi's expression shifted slightly. "

What?

”

—

They may have come for you.

The words cast a shadow over Aoshi's face. "

Thank you for the warning, Great Venerable Fengbo.

"

Fengbo calmly went on.

—

There's nothing worth researching in this Ancestral Land. Once we have conquered the Mortal Heart World, you can research it all you want. We can't help you this time. You should retreat, lest you're met with failure.

"

I understand

," Aoshi replied gloomily.

He gazed at the tower ahead, unwillingness filling his eyes. Given time, a year—or even three months—would've been enough to reach the tower's core. Then perhaps, the secret from back then would finally be revealed.

Unfortunately, the ancient gods gave him no time, while the new gods gave him no chance.

After one long, lingering glance at the tower, he finally gave the order. "Withdraw!"

If those three Great Venerables truly came for him, staying would be extremely dangerous. Thus, he chose to retreat and wait for another opportunity to return.

"Understood!"

The other new gods gathered before Great Venerable Aoshi.

At that moment, one new god said, "Great Venerable Aoshi, Sister Feng Kui and Tan Zui haven't returned yet."

Aoshi narrowed his eyes, saying in an uncompromising manner, "I've already notified them. They said they ran into enemies and will leave once they're dealt with. We’ll go first."

His tone left no room for argument. Even if the other new gods had doubts, none dared to voice them. Although they had the gall to speak behind his back, they knew doing so in front of him would be sheer madness.

***

Inside another tower, Qi Yuan discovered yet another warehouse. "Come, follow me.”

He had been sweeping through the realm like a madman. Though he hadn't found another massive haul like in the Pharmaceutical Plant No. 6, his gains were still substantial.

The ancient gods following him were all smiles. The older twin had stepped to Third Step, making her the strongest among them. The younger twin wasn't far behind, at late Second Step. Laughing Arhat and Long-Browed Arhat had both reached Second Step as well. Overall, the ancient gods had improved tremendously.

However, the gains of those at Core Formation above were far smaller. In Qi Yuan's view, these cultivators were simply too weak, worse than babies. The Ancestral Land didn't really have anything suitable for them.

"Hope there's something good this time," Qi Yuan said, anticipation in his voice.

Yet as soon as the warehouse doors opened, disappointment flashed across his eyes. Strange alloys were scattered everywhere in chaotic piles. The place had clearly suffered massive destruction.

"Look! That box over there is still intact!" the younger twin said sharply, her keen eyes spotting a complete glass case at once.

Qi Yuan walked over and opened it, revealing hundreds of vials. The ancient gods instantly went wild. They quivered from excitement, their eyes glowing.

"This is!"

"Divine Domain Immortal Serum!"

"It's actually a Divine Domain Immortal Serum!"

Gone was any trace of composure. The ancient gods’ breathings grew labored. Consuming the serum allowed one to form a Divine Domain Seed!

For a Third Step cultivator to become a Great Venerable, they had to perfect their divine apertures, condense a Divine Domain Seed, and then transform it into a Divine Domain.

Meanwhile, a mere First Step cultivator with a Divine Domain Seed could even fight across realms, challenging those at Second or Third Step.

Yet among a hundred thousand First Step Yin Spirits, the chance of awakening a Divine Domain Seed was practically zero. Before opening all of one's divine apertures, having a Divine Domain Seed was almost a fantasy. Even the number one expert of the Mortal Heart World, the No-Food Goddess, didn't have one.

Furthermore, among all the Yin Spirits Qi Yuan had seen, only Ning Tao had succeeded. The last time he summoned her, she displayed Step Two Heaven-Treading strength. She unfolded her Divine Domain Seed and effortlessly slaughtered some Yin Spirits.

Her success had much to do with her strange state. She was forever suspended between remembering and forgetting. In her memories, time seemed frozen, and only Qi Yuan existed.

Now, the legendary Divine Domain Immortal Serum lay before them. How could the ancient gods not be tempted?

In countless years of the Mortal Heart World, only one person had formed a Divine Domain Seed—thanks to this very serum. If they drank it and condensed one before becoming a Great Venerable, they would be invincible!

In the meantime, Qi Yuan examined the hundreds of vials.

[Divine Domain Immortal Serum, also known as a Growth Oral Solution. Is your child underdeveloped? Take this Growth Oral Solution to help children grow up healthy. This medicine contains several flaws.]

What he saw this time felt downright absurd. The treasure, revered by ancient gods, was actually medicine for underdeveloped children!

A conjecture formed in his mind. The unknown race that once ruled the Ancestral Land naturally became Great Venerables upon reaching adulthood.

However, some children were undernourished or poorly developed, stuck at the Third Step to Heaven. Thus, the Divine Domain Immortal Serum was created to help them grow into adults.

Qi Yuan swept his gaze over the villagers and ancient gods. "Looks like everyone here is underdeveloped."

Indeed, aside from him, everyone was old. Take the twin sisters, for example. They were youthful and beautiful on the surface, but they were actually about tens of thousands of years old.

The gods stared at one another, utterly confused.

The younger twin puffed out her chest defiantly. "Lord God, where am I underdeveloped?"

The older twin, both more reserved and more bombshell-like, remained silent.

"If you're already grown but still not a Great Venerable, isn't that underdeveloped?" Qi Yuan said casually.

"What does that have to do with anything?!" the younger twin retorted. "I may not be a Great Venerable, but I became a True God at a young age!"

"This Divine Domain Immortal Serum is for underdeveloped people," Qi Yuan said, looking at the ancient gods. "So who here is underdeveloped?"

The crowd was stunned once more, completely lost as to his meaning.

Wang Song, however, seemed eager. "Lord God, I

am

underdeveloped."

Qi Yuan flicked his wrist, tossing a vial into Wang Song's hands. "You are, a bit. This vial's yours.”

Wang Song's face lit up. His breathing grew labored as he stared at the vial as if it were a peerless beauty.

He clutched it tightly, disbelief written all over his face. "You're really giving it to me?"

This was Divine Domain Immortal Serum, something that opened a shortcut to becoming a Great Venerable.

"Aren't you underdeveloped? Then it's yours. Stop dawdling, drink it," Qi Yuan said indifferently.

Without hesitation, Wang Song swallowed the vial whole. He was in such a hurry that he even swallowed the glass bottle.