Chapter 1084: The Seventh Solar Divine Region, Chen Chu the Heavenly Dao (II)

Boom!

His awareness roared and exploded, plunging into a world of endless crimson flames. The heavens and earth there had not yet been opened. In the void rose a figure towering through heaven and earth itself.

The instant that figure appeared, clad in resplendent robes, an infinite torrent of information and insight flooded into Chen Chu’s mind, vast beyond description. Even with his current cultivation, it took him half a day to recover. When clarity returned, the daze in his eyes faded.

"So the divine regions are each a Great Thousand World[1] still in the midst of growth," he murmured, awe and excitement in his gaze.

Beings at the true spirit level were the surface limit of the mythical world. Such creatures had already become principles themselves, their imprints engraved deep into the mythical world. They had condensed true names, and silently influenced countless lives.

However, the mythical world itself was an unimaginably vast, slumbering colossal beast. When any lifeform reached the peak of the true spirit level and sought to break through into primordial level, the mythical world would reject it and force it into the perilous Sea of Chaos,[2] where even ordinary primordial beings would be annihilated in an instant.

That "ordinary" referred not to weak strength, but to colossal beasts and cultivators who had only just broken through to the primordial level. For the sake of survival, and also to advance further, many primordial beings chose to open up powerful, durable worlds of their own.

In truth, such a world was a manifestation of a portion of that primordial being’s true form, transformed into a star and suspended beyond the mythical world in the outer heavens. Some primordial colossal beasts also chose to create divine region worlds in this manner, such as the Divine Void Dragon that had fallen outside the Abyssal Battlefield.

Of course, evolving a Great Thousand World from one’s true form was only one path after reaching the primordial level. Some primordial beings chose not to evolve worlds at all. Instead, they turned their entire existence into a furnace to devour and refine everything, becoming peerlessly powerful individuals that wandered the chaotic void and even the Sea of Chaos.

There were also primordial beings who, while evolving Great Thousand Worlds from their true forms, refused to anchor themselves to the mythical world. Instead, they became supreme planes, standing independent beyond heaven and earth.

Thus, evolving a Great Thousand World was simply a mark of power for the most formidable primordial beings. As for how these primordial existences cultivated and grew stronger, each was different. Some devoured entire worlds, while others reflected themselves across the heavens.

To create a divine region required absolute power, capable of creating heaven and earth, splitting open chaos, and forming a Great Thousand World. One could also manifest the principle world within into reality, condense a portion of the chaotic void, and with the primordial destiny and principle origin, forge and sustain a boundless world.

Both of these methods were beyond Chen Chu at present, but his case was unusual. The Solar System was itself a vast world, torn from the galaxy of its former universe when the mythical world devoured it. Its scope was enormous, already at the limit of a vast world and one step away from being considered a Great Thousand World, albeit the smallest kind.

Moreover, as a world that had once borne and nurtured seven ancient emperors, its original universe was incomparably strong and stable. Even though the mythical world’s devouring had weakened the stability of the Solar System’s space, it remained sufficient to serve as the foundation for a divine region.

As the one who held up the heavens, Chen Chu needed only to sever a portion of his true form and fuse it with the Solar System, to condense a Heavenly Dao Body. With the method of condensing heaven taught by the True Radiant Sky Emperor, he had hope of opening the Solar System into the human race’s seventh divine region. In addition, because of its independent origin, Chen Chu himself would not be bound here. Once condensation succeeded, the Solar System would gradually rise, growing stronger until it shifted from the fused world’s crystal wall layer into the outer heavens.

Chen Chu would gain a Heavenly Dao Body at the primordial level. Unlike the Destructive Dragon Emperor, this avatar would resemble an external incarnation. It was an embodiment of the world’s will, usually unseen beneath the chaos principle.

Should Chen Chu one day fall in the chaotic void, his soul scattered and his body and spirit annihilated, he could still return through the Heavenly Dao Body’s reflection across past time and space. It would grant him another means of survival. Most crucial of all, this Heavenly Dao Body coincided perfectly with the Heavenly Dao avatar Chen Chu had been preparing to form when merging his Mark of Temporal Reincarnation into the Heavenly Dao Seal.

The most important step had been skipped entirely, and with the method to condense heaven from the True Radiant Sky Emperor, Chen Chu’s chances had soared. Where before he had relied on leaving the Heavenly Dao Seal to develop on its own, now he was confident he could complete the condensation of a Heavenly Dao Body within half a month.

Then, using the Heavenly Dao’s power to adjust the origin principles of the solar system and condense the divine region’s unique traits, the entire process should take about one month.

Thinking of this, Chen Chu exhaled slowly, his expression solemn as he looked at the Primordial King and the others. "Everyone, I will be entering seclusion again for about one month. If I succeed, this place shall become the human race’s seventh divine region, the Solar Divine Region. The day I emerge will be the day I journey to the ancient divine regions."

"The seventh divine region!"

"The Solar Divine Region!!"

As they gazed at Chen Chu’s calm demeanor, the faces of the Primordial King and the others first showed shock, then excitement and elation. Though they knew little of cultivation beyond the true spirit level, if Chen Chu could refine the Solar System into a divine region, it would mean he was assured of reaching the path to the primordial level.

On top of that, with the human race holding a seventh divine region, the Human Federation’s future potential would be incomparably vast. As powerhouses born of the Human Federation, they too would benefit from the region's rise. It was even possible that everyone present would advance further.

Several supreme powerhouses could reach the true spirit level, heavenly kings could break through to the supreme level, and even the weakest of the mythical kings could ascend to the titan level.

The thought left Qingqiu Tianyao, who had only just broken into the heavenly king level, breathless. "Good luck, Chen Chu. We believe in you. You will succeed in opening the seventh divine region."

"Sir, I have some confidence, but nothing is certain before success," Chen Chu replied.

Though he was eighty percent confident in his success, anything could happen before reaching that final step. He would not make bold promises, lest failure turn him into a laughingstock.

Faerie King Xuntian suddenly said, "Divine Might King, when you set out for the human divine regions, may we accompany you to witness it for ourselves?"

At once, interest sparked across the faces of the other alien powerhouses. "Divine Might King, we too yearn to see your ancient divine regions. What kind of resplendent civilization must it be, to have birthed such a powerful race?"

To follow Chen Chu and his people into the divine regions would be their one chance in a lifetime to venture beyond the chaotic heavens and glimpse an even more vast world. None wished to miss it.

None of them even considered the possibility of Chen Chu failing to open a divine region.

Failure? Impossible.

Chen Chu did not answer directly, instead turning his gaze toward Shi Feitong, who smiled. "As long as Big Brother Chen agrees, I have no objections. When the time comes, everyone may enter the divine regions with the status of allied races, including the outer heavens."

The Ancient Civilization naturally consisted of more than just humans. Over tens of thousands of years, countless alien races had taken root around and even within the six divine regions. Whenever they fought wars against other peak civilizations, these races would also participate, often as the middle- and lower-tier main forces.

At once, everyone revealed smiles. "Our thanks to the Divine Might King, and to Vice Palace Master Shi, for granting this."

However, while these alien races had been permitted to join the expedition, clearly not everyone could leave.

Chen Chu turned toward the Primordial King and the others. "Sir, while I am in seclusion, please discuss among yourselves who should be chosen for this journey. This place is our rear stronghold, so some must remain to guard it."

The Primordial King and the others nodded gravely. "Indeed, the selection of personnel must be considered carefully."

Every king present was a powerhouse who had survived the Era of Darkness, fighting their way to this point without falling. Each was proud, talented, and ambitious. Yet under the suppression of the Purgatory Demon Clan, and with this region so barren in resources, they had been trapped, their cultivation progressing far too slowly. Now that there was a chance to step into a broader world beyond the chaotic heavens, where resources and opportunities abounded, none wished to be left behind.

It wasn’t only the mythical kings. Many old Ninth Heavenly Realm experts who had devoted their lives to the Federation also longed to go. If they reached a divine region, they could quickly break through to the king level. Even geniuses of the younger generation like Xia Zuo, who had reached the Ninth Heavenly Realm at such a young age, could shine brightly if taken along.

This journey was also more than just a chance for cultivation; it was also an opportunity for technology and the transcendent systems to advance. The mech martial arts of West Meng, the gene martial arts of North Lin, and the true martial arts of East Xia could all progress further through the knowledge found in the divine regions.

Thus, under the leadership of the Primordial King, the Celestial King, and the True Martial King, a grand alliance conference of all beings above the mythical level was convened outside the Blue Planet’s atmosphere. Every powerhouse of the four civilizations except Qian Tian was present.

While the kings fiercely debated who should journey forth, Chen Chu prepared to re-enter seclusion. This time, however, he didn’t descend into the sun’s depths. Instead, his figure rose higher and higher. Like a phantom, his body pierced through layer after layer of space until he reached the boundary of the Solar System. Here, the concepts of space and time had grown hazy. They were replaced by the purest World Force, forming a crystalline barrier that encompassed all.

At Chen Chu’s side, the Heavenly Dao Seal appeared, radiating dazzling white light.

Boom!

The moment Chen Chu grasped the Heavenly Dao Seal, the entire Solar System responded in jubilation. An incomparably vast aura spread outward. This was the Heaven Condensation Art, the method to condense a true heaven. Without a sound, Chen Chu and the Heavenly Dao Seal dissolved, merging into the crystalline wall that covered the Solar System.

The conference beyond the Blue Planet’s atmosphere lasted three days before it concluded. Soon, tremors rippled throughout the four civilizations, and countless beings stirred. Among the human race, some faces lit up with excitement, while others showed disappointment.

Meanwhile, many geniuses who had been training deep in the mythical world were summoned back. These included Xia Zuo, who had just slain a level 9 demonized colossal beast in the Forbidden Zone Battlefield; Ji Wuji, who had purged a dark forest of mutated beasts; and Bardas, who had ripped apart a late-stage level 9 colossal beast with a roar.

In Tiannan City, Heavenly King Xuanwu interrupted Yan Ruoyi’s seclusion.

"To the divine region?" Yan Ruoyi asked, her long silver hair flowing, and the dragon horns on her brow glinting.

Xuanwu nodded. "Yes. I secured you a place. You will accompany us to the human divine region. There, you should find a way to break through to the mythical level."

Having fought for decades, Xuanwu had contributed enormously to both the Federation and humanity, losing nearly all of his family to war or assassination in the process. Thus, he not only obtained a first-batch quota himself, but also ensured his daughter’s place, exempting her from the tests for talent or potential.

Yan Ruoyi, who had reached the peak of the Ninth Heavenly Realm and mastered a complete dragon principle, had long been unable to break through to the mythical level, yet her strength still grew steadily. The ancient divine regions could hold the solution. Without reaching the mythical level, Yan Ruoyi’s lifespan would remain limited, leaving her vulnerable to death by old age. Xuanwu would never allow that day to come.

Within the other three civilizations, those granted quotas also began fierce internal selections. As the entire alliance was swept up in an atmosphere of excitement and anticipation, even ordinary people could feel that the world itself was changing.

The skies grew brighter; when the Primordial Azure Sky had descended and veiled the heavens, the firmament had seemed distant, vast, and faintly terrifying, like a deep black ocean. Now, the azure sky grew ever clearer, filling all who gazed on it with joy. The transcendent energy permeating the world had become purer, livelier, easier to absorb, and cultivation also grew easier.

However, the greatest change was the sun. It seemed to grow larger each day. Every morning, when people looked up, they felt it had swelled yet again. In just over ten days, its diameter had doubled. Combined with its earlier bursts of growth, the sun now spanned over four million kilometers across. Seen from afar, it resembled a colossal, blazing fireball in the sky. If not for the fact that its light and heat felt unchanged, panic would have already swept the world.

In the blink of an eye, a month passed, and it was May 1st. That day, at the edge of the dark Solar System, a pair of colossal silver-white eyes appeared, cold and majestic as they gazed down upon all beings like the Heavenly Dao itself. They lingered only briefly, sweeping across the central star and its orbiting planets before fading away.

In their place, Chen Chu appeared in the void, black hair falling to his shoulders, eyes deep as the flawless night sky, and his aura even nobler and more unfathomable than a month before. "Almost time to leave."

1. In cultivation novels, worlds are often ranked or classified. A Great Thousand World usually means a complete, vast, self-contained universe. It has Heaven (天) and Earth (地). It contains its own laws/principles, cycles, beings, and ecosystems. Think of it as a fully functioning macrocosm, almost like a self-sustaining parallel universe. By contrast, a Small Thousand World or Middle Thousand World would be incomplete, weaker, or smaller in scope. ☜

2. The Sea of Chaos (混沌海) originates from Daoist cosmology as the primordial void before creation. In cultivation lore, it represents the boundless expanse beyond all worlds and heavens, a hostile and formless ocean of chaos where only the highest beings, such as Dao Ancestors, can roam. ☜