All those who embark on the path of cultivation, whether they be of the human race, monstrous beasts, or other alien species, possess a heart that yearns for the chance to break through to the Emperor Venerable realm.
In the past, Xuan Lie had no choice. His lifelong goal was merely to regain his freedom, obtain a cultivation technique for himself, and break through to the Half-Emperor realm.
Now, he wanted to become a powerful being!
The Emperor Venerable realm was his objective!
He also understood that his future rested entirely on Xu Chuan. As long as Xu Chuan agreed, he, Xuan Lie, would have embarked upon a grand path!
At the same time, he felt immensely fortunate. Fortunate that he had been wise enough to understand the situation back then and had no dissatisfaction with becoming Xu Chuan's guardian.
And that he had helped Xu Chuan resolve many difficulties on his martial path.
This was precisely why he had the confidence to propose this idea.
Upon hearing Xuan Lie's thought, Xu Chuan's expression turned contemplative, and he remained silent for a moment.
Xuan Lie did not disturb him, merely watching with expectant eyes from the side.
Frankly speaking, from the moment Xu Chuan broke through to the Emperor Venerable realm, the transaction between the two had concluded.
Xuan Lie could have chosen to leave, thereby gaining the freedom he had always longed for.
But he did not.
He had stayed by his side, broken through to the peak of the Half-Emperor realm, and tirelessly helped him handle affairs.
One could say he had performed his duties with utmost dedication.
Moreover, Xuan Lie had indeed provided him with a great deal of assistance in the past!
On several occasions, had it not been for Xuan Lie's self-sacrificing help, he would have likely lost half his life, if not perished.
The relationship between man and beast had long transcended a simple cooperative alliance; it was more akin to that of partners.
He deserved a chance to reach the Emperor Venerable realm!
Furthermore, he currently possessed surplus Primordial Chaos Essence.
With everything figured out, a slight smile appeared on Xu Chuan's face.
"It's not impossible to give you an opportunity."
"However, you must think it through. Once you accept my opportunity, you will be completely bound to my Taiyi Sacred Land!"
"It will not be so easy to break free in the future!"
Xu Chuan said with a solemn expression.
This was also considered a preemptive warning, a vaccination against future troubles.
"I have of course thought it through!"
"From today onwards, I live as a beast of Taiyi Sacred Land, and I die as a ghost of Taiyi Sacred Land!"
"I will never harbor any thought of betrayal!"
Upon hearing Xu Chuan's words, Xuan Lie immediately patted his chest with his claw, promising.
"Good!"
Xu Chuan nodded.
Then, he produced a strand of Primordial Chaos Essence.
This was Primordial Chaos Essence obtained during their previous battles.
"Take it. This is the opportunity to break through to the Emperor Venerable realm."
"With this, and your accumulation, reaching the first-tier Emperor Venerable realm is almost a sure thing!"
Xuan Lie eagerly took the strand of Primordial Chaos Essence from Xu Chuan's hand, his mouth watering.
From the moment the Primordial Chaos Essence appeared, he felt a tremor within his body, an urge to snatch it immediately.
Fortunately, he managed to control himself and avoided making a fool of himself.
Seeing Xuan Lie's demeanor, Xu Chuan shook his head helplessly.
When had he himself, the first time he obtained Primordial Chaos Essence, not been in such a state?
"However, don't celebrate too early."
"To break through to the Emperor Venerable realm, there is still one crucial step!"
"That is to open up your inner world!"
"Do you have the confidence?"
Xu Chuan asked.
Upon hearing this, Xuan Lie was stunned.
Inner world?
What was that?
Why was it that after he had only gone into seclusion for a period, the entire world seemed to have undergone a tremendous change?
All sorts of terms he didn't understand were suddenly appearing.
"I... How does one open up this inner world?"
Xuan Lie stammered.
He truly didn't know!
In fact, he knew next to nothing about cultivating martial arts!
His ability to reach his current level was entirely due to his racial talent and inheritance.
Otherwise, after receiving the cultivation techniques and resources from Xu Chuan, it wouldn't have taken him so long to break through from the peak of the Heavenly King realm to the peak of the Half-Emperor realm.
Seeing his expression, Xu Chuan knew that this path would not work for him.
Xuan Lie would have to find another way to complete this final step!
"What should be done?"
Xu Chuan pondered.
Xuan Lie, on the side, watched with some anxiety.
He had finally obtained an opportunity, only to encounter a problem himself.
How could he not be anxious?
Just as the man and beast fell silent.
Suddenly.
Xu Chuan's eyes lit up.
He had an idea!
If Xuan Lie couldn't open up his own inner world, why not directly refine someone else's inner world into his own!
Although an inner world refined this way would certainly not be as good as one opened up oneself.
However, at present, it seemed to be the only viable method.
Xu Chuan explained all the pros and cons to Xuan Lie.
After finishing, he added, "You need to consider the advantages and disadvantages yourself!"
"I will only be responsible for finding a feasible path for you."
Upon hearing this, Xuan Lie did not hesitate at all and immediately said, "Let's use this method!"
"I know my own talent. I know myself."
"Having a chance to break through to the Emperor Venerable realm is already a blessing from my ancestors."
"What more could I be dissatisfied with?"
"Besides, it will only be difficult to progress in the future; it doesn't mean I can't advance. What is there to fear!"
Xuan Lie's tone was dismissive.
However, as he said, the highest cultivation level of the most senior ancestor of his clan was only the first-tier Emperor Venerable realm.
He now had the opportunity to stand shoulder to shoulder with his ancestor, so what could he be dissatisfied with?
He understood the principle of "greed makes a snake swallow an elephant."
"But where can we find someone else's inner world?"
Xuan Lie asked.
Anyone with an inner world was undoubtedly a powerful Emperor Venerable.
How could they possibly willingly give up their own inner world?
Moreover, even if they were willing to give it up, it might not be suitable for him.
Refining an unsuitable inner world would not only take longer but also provide weaker enhancements to one's strength.
It would be very inefficient.
"Have you forgotten the Source Water World we inadvertently entered before?"
Xu Chuan said softly.
He uttered a name.
Upon hearing this, Xuan Lie's eyes lit up!
That's right, the Source Water World!
Wasn't that an existing inner world!
Furthermore, it was an inner world compatible with his attributes!
That Source Water Emperor Venerable was also a Dao achieved by a water-attributed being. He had broken through to the Emperor Venerable realm many years ago and was extremely powerful.
Otherwise, the Source Water World could not have been so vast and full of life!
However, it was clear that the other party had already perished!
Otherwise, the inner world would not have evolved into a small world.
"That's it!"
"When do we set off!?"
Xuan Lie asked excitedly.
It was truly a case of "after countless trials and tribulations, the path ahead is still unclear, yet a village appears at the next bend in the road!"
The Source Water World, which had nearly caused their demise back then, had now become Xuan Lie's opportunity!
This was truly wonderful!
Moreover, they could also take this opportunity to seek out that one-horned old dragon and settle the score!
They had not forgotten the past enmity!
"There's no time to delay, let's set off now!"
Xu Chuan nodded.
With Xuan Lie's troubles completely resolved, he now had time to attend to other matters.
"Good, let's go!"