"It is indeed unimaginable," Lin Fei admitted.
"Do you find it astonishing? However, once you understand that the world has a spirit, it doesn't seem as shocking," Great Dream Ancestor responded. "True Immortal-level worlds have given birth to a will. This is what is known as the 'heavenly will.' To some extent, True Immortal-level worlds like Ancient Continent require strong individuals like True Immortals and Martial Ancestors to give birth to them. In reality, some True Immortals of our Ancient Covenant, through Dao Integration, have merged with the Dao of the Ancient Continent. This is somewhat different from Divine Realm True Immortals."
Lin Fei fell silent. The concept of the world having a spirit was inherently awe-inspiring. Once the world had a spirit, many things could be explained. However, he was curious about whether small worlds and True Monarch-level worlds had spirits.
"Master, do small worlds and True Monarch-level worlds possess spirits?" Lin Fei inquired.
Great Dream Ancestor smiled faintly and explained, "Most small worlds and True Monarch-level worlds lack consciousness. However, if a small world or True Monarch-level world were to develop consciousness, they would have the potential to ascend. They might even ascend to the level of True Immortal-level worlds in the future. Furthermore, only by giving birth to consciousness do they have the opportunity to ascend to the level of True Immortal-level worlds."
Upon hearing the Great Dream Ancestor's words, Lin Fei was shaken to his core. He finally understood why his world had not ascended. Consciousness. The world needed to develop consciousness to have a chance to ascend to a True Monarch-level world.
"I see..." Lin Fei exclaimed, suddenly enlightened.
"Master, may I ask how to make the world develop consciousness, or how to make the world possess a spirit?" Lin Fei asked with urgency.
Great Dream Ancestor shook his head helplessly and said, "How the world develops consciousness is something even the Supreme cannot fathom. All we can do is let it unfold naturally. However, once a world develops consciousness, it must not be destroyed. Such a world possesses immense potential and can grow into a True Immortal-level world. Once it becomes a True Immortal-level world, it wields tremendous influence over any power."
Lin Fei nodded in understanding. As for how to detect whether a world had developed consciousness, Lin Fei chose not to ask the Great Dream Ancestor. As a True Monarch now, he had the innate ability to sense it, even if he had not been aware of it before.
"Thank you for your guidance, Master," Lin Fei expressed his gratitude. "I understand now."
"Very well, now that you understand, you may go," Great Dream Ancestor waved his hand.
Lin Fei's consciousness returned instantly to the Divine Realm. With a sudden gasp, he opened his eyes, taking in his surroundings. This time, he had learned many hidden secrets from his Master, including the concept of world consciousness.
"My particle world, to ascend to the True Monarch level, needs to develop consciousness," Lin Fei thought to himself. "However, this is a long-term process, and even life has not yet been born within it."
Lin Fei shook his head, realizing that it was too distant a goal for him at the moment. He needed to return to the Ancient Continent, unite it, and conduct the Heaven Sacrificial ceremony.
There, he would attempt to comprehend the Dao of the Ancient Continent and elevate his world's Dao to 100%, potentially achieving the status of a Martial Ancestor. Whether he could become one remained uncertain, but he was willing to give it his all.
With determination in his heart, Lin Fei stood up and left his residence, heading straight for the headquarters of the Ancient Covenant. To enter the Ancient Continent, he needed the approval of the Ancient Covenant. Soon, he arrived at the Ancient Covenant headquarters.
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"True Monarch Lin," the Ancient Covenant headquarters' Martial Gods, Deity Transformation cultivators, and even True Monarch-level cultivators all recognized Lin Fei. They displayed great respect toward him.
Lin Fei, now a top-tier True Monarch with the potential to become a Martial Ancestor, was a legend within the entire Ancient Covenant. Who wouldn't hold him in high regard?
Lin Fei nodded slightly and approached several True Monarchs in the headquarters. He spoke in a deep voice, "I wish to apply for a return to the Ancient Continent."
"True Monarch Lin wishes to return to Ancient Continent?" The True Monarchs knew Lin Fei's identity. He had originally come from the Ancient Continent to the Divine Realm, and there was a chance for him to return.
They immediately informed higher-ranking authorities, specifically the Dao Integration True Immortal, responsible for such matters.
Soon, Lin Fei received a message from the True Monarch, stating, "True Monarch Lin, a True Immortal wishes to meet you. Whether your application is approved or not will ultimately depend on the decision of the Dao Integration True Immortal."
"A True Immortal wants to see me?" Lin Fei was somewhat surprised. "Which True Immortal is it?"
"The Dao Integration True Immortal! And your ability to return to the Ancient Continent is at the discretion of the Dao Integration True Immortal," they replied.
Lin Fei understood. The Dao Integration True Immortal had the final say in whether he could return to the Ancient Continent. He followed the True Monarch and said, "Please lead the way."
Lin Fei followed the True Monarch deeper into the Ancient Covenant headquarters. Although he was unsure why the Dao Integration True Immortal wanted to see him, he had a feeling it was related to his return to the Ancient Continent.
As he walked, he considered that seeing a True Immortal would be a unique experience, and hopefully, the Dao Integration True Immortal, being a part of the Ancient Covenant, wouldn't harm him.
Soon, Lin Fei arrived at a grand hall. Inside, there was only one figure—a middle-aged man who exuded an elegant air. His presence felt ethereal, and despite there being only one person in the hall, his aura seemed to merge seamlessly with the entire space, the surrounding void, and even the Divine Realm itself.
This was a True Immortal—a Dao Integration True Immortal!
"Greetings to Your Highness, True Immortal," Lin Fei respectfully bowed.
The aura of the Dao Integration True Immortal was entirely different from the Great Dream Ancestor's. Lin Fei had never seen the Great Dream Ancestor's true form, as the Great Dream Ancestor was shrouded in mystery. Therefore, he couldn't compare their auras.
The Dao Integration True Immortal nodded slightly and said, "Lin Fei, Great Dream Ancestor has already informed me of your desire to return to Ancient Continent. I won't make it difficult for you and will allow you to return. However, I am curious about one thing. What the specific rewards you received after enduring the ninth Heavenly Tribulation"
Lin Fei was surprised by the Dao Integration True Immortal's question. "Your Highness, you are not aware of it?"
"Of course not," replied the Dao Integration True Immortal. "Although I have achieved Dao Integration and merged with the Divine Realm's grand Dao, I do not know it."
This revelation stunned Lin Fei. He had always assumed that the rewards he received after enduring nine Heavenly Tribulations were common knowledge among Dao Integration True Immortals or Martial Ancestors. However, it turned out that even the Dao Integration True Immortal was unaware of the rewards he had received.
The Dao Integration True Immortal continued, "The rewards you received from the Sea of Origin are unknown even to Dao Integration True Immortals. Now, please tell me what you gained after enduring the nine Heavenly Tribulations."
Lin Fei was open to sharing this information. He replied, "Your Highness, after enduring nine Heavenly Tribulations, I was pulled into an illusion within the Sea of Origin. There, I comprehended the Dao. The effect was quite remarkable."
Lin Fei mentioned only his Dao comprehension, which was indeed the primary benefit he gained. Each time he comprehended the Dao in the illusion, his world's Dao improved significantly.
"I see, so you comprehended the Dao," the Dao Integration True Immortal replied. "It appears that passing through the Heavenly Tribulations and enduring nine of them indeed brings unexpected benefits. Comprehending the Dao is a tremendous advantage."
The Dao Integration True Immortal's eyes shone with interest. Comprehending the Dao was something that every True Monarch understood to be extremely difficult. Being able to do so after enduring nine Heavenly Tribulations was an extraordinary benefit.
However, Lin Fei remained unique in this regard. He was the only one who could claim such a reward, as no one else had been able to endure nine Heavenly Tribulations successfully.