"Enlightenment?!!"

Upon sensing the profound aura emanating from Xiao Ming, Feng Xianhuang and Jiang Xuanying were nearly dumbfounded.

Enlightenment.

This is the supreme state of comprehending techniques and understanding the laws of intent. Who would have thought Xiao Ming would stumble upon it?

"Damn it, how did he achieve enlightenment? How am I supposed to compete with that?!"

Feng Xianhuang gritted her teeth as she looked at Xiao Ming, feeling so frustrated she was on the verge of tears.

She thought she could easily crush him this time, but he had barely entered meditation when he achieved enlightenment.

It's like having a secret technique directly imparted to you, practically cheating.

"No way, even if he's enlightened, I'm a reborn Empress with a foundation hundreds of times stronger than his. I still have a chance to turn the tables!"

With this thought, Feng Xianhuang quickly adjusted her mindset and entered meditation again to comprehend the secret technique.

Xiao Ming's enlightenment aura was beneficial to her as well.

If she could utilize this, she might be able to grasp the secret technique ahead of time.

So...

Until the last moment, the outcome remains uncertain!

"This girl's mindset is impressive."

Watching Feng Xianhuang quickly recover from shock and resume meditation, Jiang Xuanying showed a hint of admiration.

In terms of mentality...

Knowing that this battle was almost certainly a losing one, yet still adjusting her mindset to fight till the end, is a necessary trait for becoming a strong individual!

Only by not giving up easily can there be hope!

Even if the result is disappointing, there would be no regrets.

Time passed, perhaps a quarter of an hour, or maybe two and a half hours.

As mysterious patterns appeared on Xiao Ming's body, a terrifying desolate aura erupted from him.

"He did it!"

Seeing Xiao Ming successfully condense the desolate patterns, Jiang Xuanying's face lit up with joy.

But then, as if recalling something, her expression turned serious.

"Although he successfully condensed the desolate patterns, it will take several years for him to grow strong enough to enter that place. I can only hope there's still time..."

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Thinking of the mission she bore, Jiang Xuanying felt a heavy weight on her heart.

Meanwhile, Xiao Ming was feeling the newly formed desolate patterns within him and the additional Desolate Power in his true essence.

His face showed shock and disbelief.

Although his cultivation level hadn't changed, he felt his strength had at least doubled.

The most terrifying part was...

This strand of Desolate Power seemed capable of annihilating and devouring life force. While it couldn't directly consume the life force of living beings to enhance cultivation, it could strengthen the body and heal injuries using this life force.

Truly worthy of the ancient Jiang clan, the power they wield is indeed formidable.

"Since you've successfully comprehended the Great Wilderness Refining God Technique, you're practically half a member of the ancient Jiang clan."

"Take these two divine abilities and strive to master them soon."

As Xiao Ming marveled inwardly, Jiang Xuanying, having regained her composure, suddenly tossed two jade slips to him.

Xiao Ming's eyes lit up.

His master, being a young priestess of the ancient Jiang clan, surely wouldn't give him ordinary techniques to cultivate.

Could they be Quasi-Emperor level or Emperor level?

"Don't overthink it."

"These two divine abilities are both Saint King-level. One is called the 'Great Wilderness Prison Heaven Finger,' created by a Quasi-Emperor of our clan, a terrifyingly powerful offensive technique."

"The other is 'Eight Wilderness Traversing Technique,' a life-saving technique combining agility and defense, also created by a Quasi-Emperor."

"Although your talents are extraordinary, Emperor-level techniques generally require understanding the intent to initially control and unleash their power."

"So, for now, Saint-level techniques are more suitable."

Sensing what Xiao Ming was thinking, Jiang Xuanying immediately explained.

Hearing her words, Xiao Ming didn't argue.

Emperor-level techniques are indeed powerful, but if one can't wield them, they're ultimately just for show.

Only by understanding the intent or touching upon the laws can one cultivate Emperor-level techniques.

But to master a unique power of the ancient Jiang clan and receive two Saint King-level techniques right after becoming a disciple, this apprenticeship was truly a great gain.

"Hmm? That woman hasn't even started?"

Taking the two jade slips, Xiao Ming glanced at Feng Xianhuang and couldn't help but smirk.

From now on...

This aloof Empress would have to call him senior brother.

And cook for him.

With this back and forth, wouldn't senior brother become a little more intimate? Just thinking about it felt a bit thrilling.

Cough, cough...

Shaking his head, Xiao Ming suppressed his stray thoughts and began to comprehend the two divine abilities.

As he focused again, his Transcendent comprehension talent activated once more.

With his comprehension stacking up crazily, Xiao Ming entered enlightenment again.

Jiang Xuanying was almost startled off the crooked tree she was perched on.

"How is this possible?!"

"This guy achieved enlightenment again?!"

It's well known that enlightenment is rare and requires not only high comprehension but also the right timing and environment.

Without luck, even with high comprehension, achieving enlightenment is difficult.

Not to mention herself.

From birth till now, she had only experienced enlightenment twice, showing how rare it is.

But this disciple of hers, Xiao Ming, had just achieved enlightenment once, and now he was doing it again.

Was it a coincidence?

Or did he have a method to achieve enlightenment at will?!

Feeling both surprised and suspicious, Jiang Xuanying didn't disturb Xiao Ming's comprehension but carefully observed him with her divine sense.

If it was the latter...

If she could learn a method to achieve enlightenment from him, she might break through to the Saint King realm and become a genuine Quasi-Emperor in a short time.

But as time passed...

Apart from finding Xiao Ming handsome, Jiang Xuanying couldn't grasp any method to achieve enlightenment.

"I'll have to question this kid later..."

Having made up her mind, Jiang Xuanying stopped paying attention to Xiao Ming and resumed drinking from her wine gourd.

But at that moment...

With a burst of desolate aura, Feng Xianhuang suddenly opened her eyes, with desolate patterns appearing on her body.

This added a strange change to her phoenix power.

It seemed like a Rootless Fire, yet it was inexhaustible.

As long as there was life force, her phoenix flames could keep burning, until the enemy's life force was completely consumed.

This change left her in awe.

As a reborn Empress, she knew well how much this attribute change would enhance her combat power!

Who would have thought that joining the Fuyou Sacred Land in this life would bring such an incredible opportunity?

With this thought, Feng Xianhuang looked at Xiao Ming, who was still in enlightenment, and showed a puzzled expression.

No way...

He's been in enlightenment for so long and hasn't grasped the secret technique yet?

Is there something wrong with his comprehension?!

"Truly, man proposes but heaven disposes. Who would have thought you'd be weaker than me in comprehending the secret technique even in enlightenment..."

Thinking she had won this round, Feng Xianhuang couldn't help but smile.

But before she could celebrate, Jiang Xuanying's words came like a cold shower.

"Don't celebrate too soon. He finished comprehending the secret technique long ago. This is his second enlightenment."

"He's comprehending the Saint King-level divine abilities I just gave him..."

"?!!"

Hearing Jiang Xuanying's words, Feng Xianhuang was struck as if by lightning, her smile freezing on her face.

Second enlightenment?!

Is this guy's comprehension that monstrous?!

Even she, a reborn Empress, couldn't match him. What kind of reincarnated monster is he?!

"No wonder it's a Saint King-level divine ability!"

"The use of true essence and the strengthening and protection of the body are on a completely different level compared to the techniques I learned before."

While Feng Xianhuang was utterly shocked, Xiao Ming emerged from his enlightenment.

His face was radiant, as if he had gained immensely.

In this enlightenment, he successfully grasped the basics of the 'Eight Wilderness Traversing Technique,' a significant boost to his combat power!